What is the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, and What Do They Do? |
 Top |
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the Federal agency responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs, that improve and develop the Nation's communities, and enforce fair housing laws. Although HUD administers many programs, its major functions may be grouped into six categories:
- Insuring mortgages for single-family and multi-family dwellings, and extending loans for home improvement and for purchasing mobile homes
- Channeling funds from investors into the mortgage industry through the Government National Mortgage Association
- Making direct loans for construction or rehabilitation of housing projects for the elderly and handicapped
- Providing Federal housing subsidies for low and moderate-income families
- Providing grants to States and communities for community development activities; and
- Promoting and enforcing fair housing and equal housing opportunities.
|
Is there a toll-free number I can call to find HUD-approved housing counseling agencies? |
Top |
HUD has a toll-free housing counseling referral service that provides potential homebuyers, homeowners, and renters with the names and telephone numbers of their nearest HUD approved housing counseling agencies. Services provided by the agencies include: first time homebuyer information, mortgage default and delinquency counseling, reverse mortgage (HECM) counseling, financial management and property maintenance guidelines. Toll-Free Housing Referral Service 1-800-569-4287 1-800-358-6216 (TDD)
|
Who can help me if I am having problems with my landlord? |
Top |
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, develop vibrant cities, towns and village, and address homeless issues. The MSHDA can also help with complains about landlord harassment. For more information, read about
Rental Assistance (Oversight and regulation of the State's public and publicly assisted rental housing).
Detroit Residents can also contact the Detroit Housing Commission. The Detroit Housing Commission is committed to the creation of more affordable housing opportunities, growth and economic freedom, revitalizing of city neighborhoods, as well as partnerships with foundation and public entities for the benefit of city residents.
|
My income is very low and I cannot afford my apartment – what can I do? |
Top |
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides many options to low- and moderate- income residents for affordable housing. Options include:
- Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program - A federal program which provides rent subsides for very low income people who find their own housing in private homes and apartment buildings.
- Multifamily Section 8 - Residents in these developments must be low income persons and families who meet Income Limits set by HUD and the Tenant Selection Criteria.
- Section 236 - Residents in these developments must be low income persons and families who meet Income Limits set by HUD and the Tenant Selection Criteria. Rents at a 236 development tend to be lower than other rental housing units because the mortgage interest rate is subsidized by HUD.
- Moderate (MOD) - Residents in these developments must be low income persons and families who meet Income Limits set by HUD and the Tenant Selection Criteria. No rent subsidy is offered on any of these units. Rent on these units may be lower than other rental housing units because MSHDA mortgage loans carry a lower interest rate than standard mortgage loans.
For more information on these and other programs please visit the MSHDA rental assistance website.
|
How do I apply for public housing? |
Top |
In order to be considered for a dwelling in Michigan, a completed application must be submitted to MSHDA. Applications for public housing may be found online at the MSHDA site.
Some factors to consider:
- Income Limits - In order to be eligible to live in many of the units, tenants must have a family income that falls below specified limits established by the federal government and State of Michigan. Your income will be computed by the Management Agent for the development at the On-Site Address, according to rules and regulations set by the State and/or Federal governments.
- Tenant Selection Criteria - Eligibility criteria are developed by the owner of the development and the Management Agent. These criteria, approved by MSHDA , are used for deciding which persons and families are eligible to live in the development. Factors for determining tenant selection may include: credit history, prior criminal convictions, prior rental experience and other factors. A development financed by MSHDA may not discriminate in selecting tenants based on race, color, national origin, sex , religion, marital status, height weight, or handicap. A development financed by MSHDA may discriminate based on age only at developments reserved for the elderly.
|
How affordable is public housing? |
Top |
Generally rent is calculated based on several factors including income and number of dependents. |
