MSU Extension Foreclosure Education & Counseling

The Homeowner Assistance Fund was established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to mitigate hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship on or after Jan. 21, 2020, or for those homeowners who experience a coronavirus pandemic financial hardship that began before Jan. 21, 2020, but continued after that date. 

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has been designated the operating agency to set up the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) program for those eligible:

• Homeowners with household incomes less than 150% of Area Median Income (AMI)
• Homeowners who own and occupy the property as their primary residence
• Homeowners must have and explain a financial hardship directly related to COVID-19 on or after Jan. 21, 2020

Eligible homeowners may receive up to $25,000 in grants to pay:

• 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
• delinquent property taxes
• Delinquent condominium/homeowners' association fees
• delinquent homeowner's insurance
• Delinquent utilities, gas, electric, water, sewer
• Delinquent internet broadband services

To apply:

• If you meet the program criteria and would like to apply for assistance on your own, you can apply at www.michigan.gov/mshda/homeownership/mihaf-homeowner-assistance.
• If you have questions, need assistance with an application, or would like to be referred to agencies in your community, call 2-1-1.
• If you have questions or need assistance with an application, download the MIHAF Intake Packet and submit to the MSU Extension financial and homeownership educator in your area.