Section 8 in Michigan is one of the largest affordable housing programs in the U.S. The state’s sizeable housing authority has over 131 housing authorities to service 83 counties. Section 8 in MI is part of a larger affordable housing program offered by the federal government, through HUD (Housing and Urban Development). Along with HUD, the local housing authorities determine eligibility, create and make HUD applications available, as well as disburse housing vouchers on behalf of qualified Section 8 participants.

Low income housing in Michigan falls into several categories. Project-based Section 8 programs are housing voucher programs that ties the housing assistance vouchers to the housing unit or property. Michigan Section 8 tenant-based programs allow renters to select an apartment, condo or other low income house rental as long as the landlord already participates in the Section 8 program or is willing to do so. If Section 8 applicants wish to submit their own home as a possible candidate for the program, thus allowing them to remain in their home, the candidates must submit their home for inspection to the HUD offices. Once it has been approved, Section 8 tenant-based programs will issue vouchers on the renter’s behalf to the landlord. However, the renter will still be responsible for at least 30 percent of the rental fees.

The Section 8 rental fee is based largely upon the income of the Section 8 participant and their household. In order to qualify for Section 8 housing in Michigan, the candidate must make at least 30-80 percent less than the average salary of those living around them. If a potential Section 8 applicant does not know the median salary for their area, this information is readily available and made public online. This accounts for qualifying Section 8 incomes in one Michigan county differing from another. Section 8 gives preferences and priority listing for those who are disabled, elderly, veterans, or for those who have very young families.

Learn the Requirements for Section 8 in Michigan

Michigan Section 8 eligibility requirements are overseen on both the federal and state levels. In Michigan, it is deployed through the Housing and Urban Development agency (HUD) as well as the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). Section 8 eligibility is determined by a couple of different factors but is largely income dependent. There are still some common questions about the process, such as “What are the qualifications for low income housing in Michigan?”

Learn How to Apply for Section 8 in Michigan

HUD Section 8 applications in Michigan must be completed and submitted before the applicant can be accepted into the Section 8 housing program in the state. Each of the 131 public housing authorities administers and reviews the HUD Section 8 applications for their county. Those who need to learn how to apply for Section 8 housing in MI would do well to speak with one of the agents from the local public housing authority, as filling out the application incorrectly can delay processing and can even result in a denial of benefits. When a Michigan HUD Section 8 application has been denied, the applicant must wait for a period of 12 months before applying again. So, learning how to register for Section 8 housing in Michigan should be undertaken with great care. Those who would like assistance in filling out the application can receive assistance from a public housing authority. No one associated with the PHA will charge a fee for assistance.

Learn About Section 8 Waiting Lists in Michigan

Michigan’s 131 public housing authorities maintain individual Section 8 housing waiting lists 2017 for each of the 83 counties. In order to be placed on the low income housing waiting list in Michigan, residents must have first submitted the HUD application to the public housing authority in their region. For a listing of MI public housing authorities by region, the HUD applicant can go online where the information has been made public for anyone to access. The Section 8 waiting list in MI is for those who have completed and submitted an application and have been accepted into the Section 8 program. The Section 8 waiting list is accessible only by those whose names appear on the list to protect the privacy of those involved in the program. Once an applicant’s name rises to the top of the Section 8 waiting list in their county, he or she will be contacted and directed to their next course of action. Vouchers for the Section 8 programs are not made directly available to the Section 8 participant, but are delivered on the participant’s behalf by the PHA to the landlord.

Learn About Section 8 Denial in Michigan

In Michigan, Section 8 denial letters are mailed to applicants upon determination that they are ineligible for Section 8 housing. What are the reasons for Section 8 denial? Much of the time, the incorrect information has been listed on the application or the information was not verifiable. The Section 8 denial letter always explains exactly what the disqualifications were. Applicants can file a Section 8 denial appeal if they do not believe the reason for the denial is valid.