Are you behind on property tax or mortgage payments?
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EmailFunds to help eligible struggling homeowners are still available through the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF).
Michigan State University Extension recognizes that some homeowners are still having financial difficulties as a result of COVID-related hardships. All it can take is reduction of income or increased living expenses due to COVID. Fortunately, grant funds are still available for eligible delinquent homeowners to get caught up and keep their home.
The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) is helping eligible homeowners keep their homes. This federally funded grant program started in 2022 and is designed to help eligible homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage, condo association fees, property taxes, land contracts, and/or utilities to retain ownership of their primary residence. As of May 2023, over 21,000 Michigan households received nearly $162 million in assistance, according to MSHDA. MIHAF funds are projected to last until the fourth quarter of 2023.
Currently, this is the only statewide assistance program to get caught up on delinquent property taxes. If homeowners are behind three years on property taxes, they have started receiving notices from their county treasurers about facing foreclosure if those taxes are not paid by March of the following year.
The online application can be completed in three ways:
- Go to the MIHAF website and complete the application yourself including uploading the required documents.
- Call MIHAF Customer Service at 866-756-4423 or 211 to apply by phone and receive an email link to upload the required documents.
- Contact a Michigan State University Extension Housing Counselors or other local housing counselors can help homeowners fill out the online application, submit all the required documents, and follow-up until a decision is made. Thousands of Michigan homeowners who worked with our counselors have received assistance to save their homes from foreclosure.
In the application, you will be asked to concisely add your COVID-related hardship statements. Just a couple of sentences that include any month/year details about income reduction or similar details about increased COVID-related expenses, like buying more masks and sanitizing cleaning products, more food and utilities while kids were virtually learning from home, paying for food to be delivered because of health concerns, etc. Just a sentence or two but with some date details. You do not need receipts. In the Signatures section, you will attest with your initials that your application statements are truthful and accurate. Electronically sign and then submit when ready.
If approved, up to $25,000 in delinquencies is paid directly to the participating mortgage servicer, county treasurer, utility, or other MIHAF Partner to go directly to the household’s past due account. And this is a grant that does not have to be repaid!
For further information or to see if you qualify for assistance you can go to MIHAF and access an online application and a list of documents that are required to submit an application.
Facing foreclosure is a difficult financial situation for homeowners. Fortunately, many are getting back on track to become current with their payments and keep their homes and stay living in their communities. Find fact sheets and more information about mortgage and property tax foreclosure at MIMoneyHealth.org.
