Washtenaw County housing documentary creators plan free screenings countywide

The following story is part of a series highlighting solutions to housing and homelessness challenges in Washtenaw County. It is supported by the Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation and University Bank.

“The Road Home,” a new documentary examining challenges in Washtenaw County’s housing and homelessness systems, is now available for anyone interested in organizing a public or private screening. The film is produced by the Ann Arbor Housing Commission and Detroit creative firm Breyko.

“Everybody has been loving it,” says the film’s director, Kameron Donald. Donald, who is also Breyko’s CEO and a two-time Emmy Award winner, adds, “It has really got the ball rolling behind the scenes. The whole thing for the documentary was for it to be a catalyst for conversation and change, and that’s happening.”

The Ann Arbor Housing Commission and Breyko recently held public screenings at the Michigan Theater and Eastern Michigan University. Screenings are accompanied by panel discussions and opportunities for local leaders, organizations, and residents to discuss solutions and resources. Organizers at the housing commission and Breyko plan to host similar screenings in each of the county’s cities through September 2026. 

To further maximize the film’s exposure, community organizations are being asked to host public screenings and discussions. So far, two churches have shown support. The First Presbyterian Church of Saline will host the film and a panel discussion on Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. The First Unitarian Universalist Congregational of Ann Arbor is also planning a screening for sometime this fall.

“We wanted to create something that was entertaining, but also educational,” Donald says. “At the beginning of production, people were saying, ‘We have great organizations. We just need to come together, because with federal money being threatened, we need to look more within the county.'”

He shares that many participants have commented that the project is unique in trying to unify the county, bringing new people to the table, and creating connections between people who normally wouldn’t cross paths.

“This documentary did a lot in allowing people to speak. It really brought people together,” Donald says. “It was more like a therapy session behind the scenes for the people that are involved.”

He adds that similar documentaries usually feature many interviews with people experiencing homelessness. “The Road Home” differs.

“My goal was to approach it by telling the story of the system,” Donald says. “We want to help the homeless, but to help them we need to address the system, because the resources and funding [are] not trickling down to them.” 

He explains that putting a light on the system makes leaders “more responsible for their part, what they got to do.”

The official trailer for “The Road Home” is available on YouTube, and those interested in hosting a screening can email theroadhomedoc@gmail.com. As additional screenings roll out, Donald is hoping that more people and organizations will take interest and be a part of creating solutions to Washtenaw County’s critical issues of mental health, housing insecurity, and homelessness. 

“They don’t have to have a lot of money or anything. People just need to have a heart and a will to get things done,” he says. “They can bring their employees and just bring awareness. You never know who’s in a crowd. It could be, like, a 17-year-old. And then they saw this documentary and it changed their life.”