Governor Whitmer Launches the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund to Help Homeowners

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) launched a new program called the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) to aid homeowners in this state. This program provides financial support to help Michiganders pay their bills and also stay in their homes. With funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the ARP), established under section 3206 to mitigate hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to homeowners experiencing financial hardship.

“Over the years, we’ve made great strides to keep families in their homes, and this additional financial support will build on our efforts that put Michiganders first,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer in a statement. “Homeowners have not been immune to the financial impacts of the pandemic. We’ve taken action through the pandemic to keep families in their homes, and with the MIHAF program, we can build on our efforts to put Michiganders first. The program offers homeowners much-needed relief to help them overcome those financial obstacles while also providing a strong degree of housing security – a vital measure that can positively impact every part of our lives.”

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Who Is Eligible for the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has designated the Michigan State Housing Development Authority as the operating agency to set up the program. The program has received $242,812,277.00 in total which will provide assistance to over 8,300 homeowners across the state. This number was based on unemployed individuals and the number of mortgagors with delinquent mortgage payments. So, each household can receive up to $25,000.00. The eligibility requirements include:

• Applicants must have experienced a qualified financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic after January 21, 2020, or had a qualified hardship that began before January 21, 2020, but continued after that date

• Meet income eligibility requirements, meaning homeowners with household incomes less than 150% of Area Median Income (AMI)

• The property must be owner-occupied

“The MIHAF program will ensure thousands of Michigan homeowners avoid the personal devastation of foreclosure while also helping communities across Michigan reduce the secondary impacts foreclosures can have on neighborhoods, local governments, and social services networks,” said Mary Townley, MSHDA’s director of homeownership. “We are grateful to Governor Whitmer for putting Michigan first and providing this critical support.” 

Find out if you qualify for these programs here.

Use of Funds

According to the program’s official site, these funds from the program can be used for:

• Delinquent mortgage/housing expenses, including property tax and insurance escrow shortages
• Delinquent land contract payments, mobile home consumer loan payments or mobile home park lot payments
• Also, Property taxes
• Delinquent condominium/homeowners’ association fees
• Delinquent homeowner’s insurance,
• Utilities, gas, electric, water, sewer
• And also, delinquent internet broadband services

Finally, for more information on the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) call 844-756-4423, email [email protected] or visit the official site.