Michigan Pandemic Housing Assistance Deadline Hits December 8

Michigan's signature pandemic-era foreclosure relief program closed its application portal on December 8, 2023, drawing a line under one of the state's largest housing aid efforts of the COVID-19 era. The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF), administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), stopped accepting new applications at midnight that Friday after distributing more than $200 million to Michigan homeowners since its launch in February 2022.

Why the Program Ended

MIHAF was funded through the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund, a $9.961 billion allocation created by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Michigan received roughly $242 million of that national pool to help homeowners who had fallen behind on housing costs because of the pandemic. By late 2023, the state had committed nearly all of its allocation, prompting MSHDA to announce in early November that the application window would close on December 8.

"This federal funding was essential in helping thousands of Michigan homeowners avoid foreclosure and keep their homes," MSHDA Executive Director Amy Hovey said in the agency's closure announcement.

Who the Program Helped

Over roughly 22 months of operation, MIHAF reached more than 26,000 Michigan households with an average award of about $7,600 per homeowner. The largest single use of funds went toward catching up delinquent mortgages, with more than $99 million paid directly to loan servicers on behalf of borrowers. Another $63 million-plus went to county treasurers to cure delinquent property taxes, and additional dollars covered utility arrears, homeowner's insurance, and condominium or homeowner association fees.

Eligibility was limited to owner-occupants whose financial hardship was tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, with income caps set at or below 150% of area median income. Priority was given to households at or below 100% of AMI and to socially disadvantaged borrowers, in line with Treasury guidance.

What Happens After December 8

MSHDA did not shut the door entirely when the portal closed. Homeowners who missed the deadline were told they could call the program's customer service line at 1-844-756-4423 or email MSHDA-HO-HAF-Program@michigan.gov to request placement on a waitlist. The agency was clear, however, that waitlist status did not guarantee assistance; payouts would only continue if previously approved applications fell through or if additional funds were recaptured.

Applications already in the pipeline on December 8 were not affected by the cutoff. Those files continued moving through underwriting, and approved payments were still being sent to servicers and taxing authorities in the weeks and months that followed.

Where to Turn Instead

For Michigan homeowners still facing delinquency, MSHDA pointed to several alternatives. The statewide 2-1-1 service, reachable at mi211.org or by dialing 211, connects callers to local emergency rent, mortgage, utility, and tax assistance programs. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies continue to offer free foreclosure prevention counseling and can negotiate loss mitigation options such as loan modifications and forbearance with servicers.

County treasurer offices across Michigan also administer local property tax hardship programs, and several utilities maintain their own shutoff protection and arrearage forgiveness programs for low-income customers. Homeowners on FHA, VA, or USDA loans, as well as those with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgages, may also qualify for servicer-level loss mitigation tools that remain available independent of MIHAF.

The Bigger Picture

Michigan was among the first wave of states to spend through its federal HAF allocation, joining Oregon, California, and several others that closed applications in 2023 as demand outpaced remaining funds. Treasury has indicated that states may redistribute small amounts of recaptured or unused HAF dollars, but no new federal appropriation has replaced the program. For Michigan homeowners who needed pandemic-specific relief, December 8, 2023 marked the effective end of the program — and a reminder that federal emergency housing aid, however generous while it lasted, is finite.