Are you a Michigan homeowner looking to safeguard your property for the future? Or maybe your home is in disrepair but you don’t have the funds to take care of it.
Either way, as a resident living in the state of Michigan you will need to make repairs to your home. There are many home improvement grants in Michigan that can be applied for.
About Home Repair Grants
Please keep in mind that each grant may have very different requirements and you may not be eligible for all of them. Nor will every grant be applicable to the kind of improvements you are in need of.
Many are aimed at low-income households, the elderly, disabled people, rural districts, etc. One of the most important parts of a successful grant application is ascertaining which grants you are eligible for.
There are many home improvement loans available. But free money is usually only available to those in need or those who are contributing to building or land improvement and maintenance.
Make sure you know exactly what you are applying to maintain or repair. Whether you are in desperate need, whether it benefits only you and family or the wider community etc.
Available Home Improvement Grants in Michigan
While finding home repair grants in Michigan that you can apply for may seem difficult at first, with research and reaching out you may be able to find something suited to you.
There are a large mixture of grants and also loans offered by organizations in towns and counties as well as on a state and federal level.
Single Family Home Repair Loans & Grants for the Elderly
The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA) offer grants to “very-low income” elderly homeowners. They also offer loans to “very-low income families”.
Loans may be used for general repairs, improvements, and modernization. But grants are provided specifically to address health and safety hazards in the home.
You must have a family income that does not exceed half of the median income in your area.
Essential Home Repairs Assistance
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHH). MDHH offers financial assistance for any energy and non-energy related issue. Issues must pose a direct threat to the health and safety of inhabitants.
The grants can only be used for essential repairs to restore buildings to a safe and livable condition.
Applicants must not be at risk of losing their home and must be able to afford any ongoing maintenance of the home once repairs are made.
This is an excellence source of help if you’re taking over an extreme fixer-upper and want some help as you set out to restore an old structure.
Farm Labor Housing Grants in Michigan
This one comes from the United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development (USDA).
They hold a grant to support sustainable housing for farm laborers in Michigan mainly through construction and purchase, it can also be used for the improvement and repair of farm labor housing.
This grant can only be issued to applicants who cannot (independently or with credit) charge affordable rent to low-income workers. Applicants must be qualified farm owners, farming companies, or non-profit organizations.
Housing Preservation Grants
The USDA also offers an annual $10 million to the Housing Preservation Grant Program which is put toward repairing homes in rural areas.
Please keep in mind this grant is only eligible for non-profit community organizations and government/state entities. Individuals cannot apply.
However, it is worth contacting your local council and/or housing organizations as they may have applied for this or similar grants.
City and County Housing Improvement Grants
There are many city-specific grants you may qualify for, though the majority are for Detroit residents.
A few of them are listed below:
Emergency Home Repairs in Detroit
The City of Detroit Planning and Development Department provides financial assistance to elderly residents who require emergency home repairs.
This grant applies to 65-year old residents or people over 55 with disabilities. It can only be received once, and applicants must earn below 5% of the city’s median income to be eligible.
Detroit Community Development Block Grant Program
Awarded by the City Planning Commission. The Community Development Grant was made to help improve the living conditions of low-income families.
It has been used in various ways related to home improvement such as buying land for development and funding community programs. B
ut it is often awarded to applicants who are in need of repairs and maintenance on their private homes.
Critical Home Repairs
If you live in Kalamazoo County MI, Community Homeworks is a non-profit community organization. They work to sustain and support low-income homeowners.
They offer low cost “critical repair services” and weatherization services to low-income residents. They even hold free maintenance and repair workshops.
Check out the Community Homeworks Facebook page.
Home Repair Program
Like Community Homeworks, Habitat for Humanity is a community organization.
They support the home situations of low-income residents in Kalamazoo County.
They offer three kinds of support – the Critical Home Repair Program, Weatherization, and an exterior home repair program.
Applicants are required to have a “demonstrated need for better housing”. They must also meet income guidelines.
If you can qualify then this is truly one of those home repair grants Michigan residents like you should take advantage of.
Minor Home Repair Program
If you live in the City of Battle Creek you may be eligible for the Minor Home Repair Program.
You can apply for grant assistance for the repair or replacement of plumbing, mechanical or electrical issues in your home. This includes accessibility repairs to handicap ramps and modifications.
To be eligible you must have home insurance and a household income that does not exceed a certain amount. You must not be in forfeiture to the county.
These are just a small number of potential home improvement grants in Michigan.
For more information on available Michigan county grants and loans, as well as tax and foreclosure relief visit this site: here.
Alternative Information and Resources
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) mainly offers (sometimes interest-free) home loans to low-income households rather than grants.
But they do have a state-wide network of ‘Housing Educators’ who can help you to find local resources when in financial trouble.
You can find more information at this site.
If you cannot find enough online information on Home Improvement Grants there are other good alternatives.
We recommend you visit your local Chamber of Commerce or Community Development offices. Local nonprofit housing organizations can also give guidance and information on available grants.
Don’t forget that the U.S government offers many grant and loan programs for home repair, maintenance, and housing support.
You may not be eligible for all of them but it’s worth remembering that there are opportunities on a national level. It may broaden your chances of successfully obtaining a home improvement grant in Michigan.
It may seem like a long and daunting process, with a lot of bureaucratic steps you have to take before you see results. After all, people rarely give money for nothing.
But if you really need a grant for your home it will be worth it. Just remember to consider carefully and research thoroughly. Fill out applications for anything you are eligible for.