HOME grants worth $1.1 million give homeowners a hand with repairs

Media Contact: Misty Elliott
517-335-9847 | ElliottM7@michigan.gov

August 9, 2018

Lansing, MICH. – The Michigan State Housing Development Authority is helping homeowners statewide cross important repair work off their to-do list this summer with more than $1.1 million in HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) grants.

“These grants make a profound positive impact on local neighborhoods and the people who live there,” said Earl Poleski, executive director of MSHDA. “When a homeowner improves the physical condition of their house, it tends to have a ripple effect that inspires surrounding home and business owners to fix up their places, too.”
The HOME program, created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, helps build, buy or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or ownership. This work is often done in partnership with local nonprofit groups. The program has flexibility that allows state and local governments to use the funding for grants, direct loans, loan guarantees, rental assistance or other credit enhancements.

MSHDA awarded these HOME funds for homeowner rehabilitation and homebuyer assistance to elevate and improve low- to moderate-income households. HOME funds are reserved for households at or below 80% of area median income.

In all, 10 Michigan communities will benefit from these grants with awards ranging from $66,000 to $176,000. The HOME program grantees (in alphabetical order) are:

Berrien County - $132,000
Berrien County is proposing to complete three homeowner rehabilitation projects in the Fairplain neighborhood within St. Joseph Charter Township and Benton Charter Township in close proximity to the City of Benton Harbor.

Capital Area Housing Partnership - $157,280
Capital Area Housing Partnership plans to build two new homes on lots located in East Lansing and the City of Lansing.

Community Action Agency Alger/Marquette County - $80,000
The CAA plans to complete two homebuyer purchase rehabilitation projects within Marquette County which includes 22 rural townships and the cities of Marquette, Ishpeming and Negaunee. 

Grand Haven - $160,000
The city plans to complete four projects within the tri cities areas of Grand Haven, Grand Haven Charter Township, Village of Spring Lake, Spring Lake Township and Ferrysburg.

Lapeer - $80,000
The city plans to complete two homeowner rehabilitation projects.

Leelanau County - $103,672
Leelanau County plans to rehabilitate seven owner-occupied units within the county.

Monroe County Opportunity Program (MCOP) - $66,000
MCOP plans to implement a homeowner rehabilitation program in Frenchtown, Bedford, Whiteford and Erie Townships for two homes.

Northwest Michigan CAA - $176,000
NMCAA plans four homeowner rehabilitation projects within Wexford and Grand Traverse Counties.

Otsego County Housing - $115,500
Otsego County Housing plans to complete three homeowner rehabilitation projects in the city of Gaylord.

South Haven - $66,000
The city plans to complete three homeowner rehabilitation projects.