Michigan offers various rental assistance options, ranging from long-term subsidies to short-term emergency aid for households facing immediate financial hardship or the risk of eviction.
Long-term rental subsidies
These state and federal programs help low-income households maintain stable housing by paying a portion of the monthly rent directly to landlords.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV / Section 8)
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV / Section 8) is the federal government’s primary initiative to help very low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
Key program features
Tenant-based choice: Program participants are free to choose any housing that meets program requirements. They are not limited to units located in subsidized housing developments.
Subsidy formula: The Public Housing Agency (PHA) pays the housing subsidy directly to the landlord on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
Rent limit: Under normal circumstances, a family must contribute 30% of its adjusted monthly gross income toward rent and utilities. When a family moves into a new unit where the rent exceeds the payment standard, they may have to pay more; however, no family may pay more than 40% of its adjusted monthly income when initially moving into a unit.
Key requirements and eligibility
Eligibility for a Housing Choice Voucher is determined by the PHA based on total annual gross income and family size.
Income limits: An applicant’s income cannot exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area where the family chooses to live. By law, a PHA must allocate 75% of its vouchers to applicants whose income does not exceed 30% of the area median income.
Citizenship status: The program is limited to U.S. citizens and specific categories of non-citizens with eligible immigration status.
Eviction history: Generally, the PHA will deny admission if any household member has been evicted from federally assisted housing within the past three years due to drug-related criminal activity.
Application steps and process
Since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited resources available to HUD and local housing agencies, long waiting periods are common.
Look for an open waiting list: You must submit an application to a local Public Housing Authority (PHA) or through MSHDA’s MyHousing portal if applying for the benefit in Michigan. Waiting lists open and close periodically based on voucher availability.
Submit a pre-application: When a list opens, you must provide basic information, such as family size, income, and contact details.
Waiting list placement and preferences: Local PHAs often give priority to specific groups (for example, families who are homeless, living in substandard housing, spending more than 50% of their income on rent, or who have been involuntarily displaced).
Final eligibility interview: When your name reaches the top of the list, the PHA will verify all your documentation (tax returns, bank statements, identification documents).
Voucher issuance: Once approved, you are issued a voucher and generally have 60 to 120 days to find suitable housing with a landlord willing to participate in the program.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Program
The Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program is a component of the federal Housing Choice Voucher (HCV or Section 8) program, but it operates with a key difference: the financial assistance is tied directly to a specific unit or building, rather than to the tenant.
If you are approved for the PBV program, you must live in that specific property to receive the subsidy. If you move out of that apartment, the rental assistance remains attached to the unit for the next low-income household on the waiting list.
Key program features
Fixed locations: PBV properties are owned by private landlords or public entities that have signed long-term contracts with local housing authorities.
Subsidy formula: As with the traditional Section 8 program, the household pays 30% of its adjusted gross monthly income toward rent and utilities, while the housing agency pays the remainder directly to the landlord.
“Conversion to portable voucher” rule: In most cases, after living in a PBV unit for at least one full year, you may request to convert your assistance into a standard tenant-based portable voucher. This allows you to take the voucher with you to find your own apartment on the private market, provided the housing agency has a portable voucher available.
PBV program structure in Michigan
In Michigan, the program is administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs)—such as the Detroit Housing Commission (DHC)—or at the state level by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
Focus on permanent supportive housing: MSHDA strictly prioritizes its state-level PBV subsidies for projects designated as Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). These units are intended for extremely low-income households (30% of the Area Median Income) and prioritize individuals who are literally homeless, at risk of homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, or individuals with specific special needs.
Property-specific waiting lists: Unlike the standard Section 8 program, where you sign up for a county- or city-wide list, here you often must apply directly to the waiting lists of specific properties that have PBV units. You are permitted to sign up for the waiting lists of multiple properties simultaneously.
How to Find and Apply for PBV Openings in Michigan
Since traditional waiting lists for tenant-based housing vouchers are often closed due to a lack of funds, applying for specific project-based units (project-based assistance) is often a faster route to achieving housing stability.
Look for available local vacancies: Check platforms that compile housing resources, such as Affordable Housing Online’s Michigan PBV Monitor, to see which apartment complexes have open waiting lists. For example, properties like Art Center Townhomes in Detroit or Maplewood Manor in Taylor often manage their own applicant lists independently.
Contact local public housing commissions: Reach out directly to municipal entities like the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, which has converted some of its properties into project-based housing units.
Consult local HARA agencies: If you are experiencing homelessness, your local Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA) can refer you directly to project-based Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units prioritized by MSHDA.
HUD-VASH Program (HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing)
The HUD-VASH program combines rental voucher assistance (Housing Choice Voucher or HCV) for homeless veterans with clinical and case management services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
How it works: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocates special vouchers to local public housing agencies (PHAs). The VA then refers eligible homeless veterans to these agencies and provides mandatory, ongoing support services directly to the veteran.
Basic eligibility requirements:
- You must be a veteran eligible for VA healthcare benefits.
- You must meet the federal definition of literally homeless (living in a place not meant for human habitation, in an emergency shelter, etc.). Household income must not exceed 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
The key advantage: HUD-VASH prioritizes veterans experiencing chronic homelessness. Because the program is linked to VA case management, veterans receive direct assistance with mental health support, substance abuse treatment, and job training, in addition to housing.
Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (811 PRA) Program
The 811 PRA program offers project-based rental assistance exclusively for extremely low-income individuals with disabilities, enabling them to live independently in integrated community settings.
How it works: In Michigan, this program is administered through a partnership between MSHDA, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Subsidies are tied directly to specific apartment units within affordable housing complexes, rather than being portable.
Core Eligibility:
- Must be a person with a significant, documented disability (physical, mental, or developmental).
- Must be between the ages of 18 and 61 at the time of admission.
- Household income must be extremely low, not exceeding 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
- Must be eligible for community-based, long-term care services provided under the state Medicaid plan or other state programs.
The Key Advantage: This program targets individuals who are transitioning out of institutional care (like nursing homes) or are at high risk of homelessness. It ensures they have stable housing that is physically accessible and linked to the daily medical or behavioral support they need to live independently.
Immediate & Emergency Rental Assistance
If you are facing an active eviction notice, behind on rent, or need help covering a security deposit, these resources offer immediate financial support.
Housing Assessment and Resource Agencies (HARA)
A HARA is a designated local agency tasked by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) with being the centralized intake hub for housing crises. Every single one of Michigan’s 83 counties has an active HARA.
Primary Function: They run “shelter diversion” and “rapid re-housing” systems. Instead of calling random shelters, you contact your county’s HARA to get formally entered into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
What Help They Provide (Subject to Active Funding):
- Emergency shelter placements and hotel/motel vouchers.
- Direct financial aid for first month’s rent, past-due rent, or security deposits.
- Funding for utility shut-offs, moving costs, and lease application fees.
- Strength-based case management to build a long-term plan out of homelessness.
Examples of Regional HARAs:
Wayne County (Detroit): Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) / Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency.
Oakland County: Community Housing Network.
Macomb County: Macomb Community Action (MCA).
Grand Traverse Region: Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA).
Recovery Housing Assistance Fund (RHF)
Launched by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), this program utilizes $3.5 million in funding from the state’s Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund to provide immediate housing security specifically for individuals undergoing substance use disorder (SUD) treatment or transitioning into recovery.
Primary Function: It actively removes financial barriers that could cause someone in early recovery to fall back into homelessness or leave their treatment program prematurely.
Key Rules & Benefits:
Up to $4,000 Cap: Eligible individuals or families can receive up to $4,000 in assistance over a 12-month period.
Eligible Expenses: Covers first month’s rent, security deposits, past-due rent arrears to block active evictions, and emergency utility shutoff relief.
Indirect Payments: Money is never paid directly to the resident. All financial distributions go strictly to landlords, certified recovery housing operators, or utility companies.
The Application Catch: Individuals cannot apply directly to the state for this fund. Funding requests must be filed on your behalf by an approved SUD treatment provider, a Medicaid case manager, or an official Recovery Community Organization (RCO).
Directly Accessing These Services
| Need | Action Pathway | Contact Method |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate Housing Crisis / Eviction | Connect directly to your local county HARA. | Dial 2-1-1 (Press 3) or view the full MSHDA HARA Master Contact List. |
| SUD Recovery Housing Support | Request a referral to the Recovery Housing Assistance Fund. | Ask your active case manager or treatment clinic provider to submit a request. |
Community Action Agencies & Nonprofits
Local charities and local agencies receive funding to assist community members directly with past-due bills.
Community Action Agencies: These localized, non-profit organizations cover all 83 Michigan counties and offer regional eviction prevention funds.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Detroit & Statewide): Organizations like SVdP Detroit manage localized funds that distribute rental and utility safety nets annually.
The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities: Regional chapters frequently provide localized pots of money for emergency rent relief.
