The Michigan Section 8 housing program exists to provide assistance to those eligible residents who are living in Michigan counties. Funded by the federal government through HUD (Housing and Urban Development), the MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority) is the agency responsible for distributing the housing vouchers. However, the Section 8 program is not automatically offered, even if the resident is currently on other governmental aid.

Michigan Section 8 voucher programs are designed to help low-income, disabled, and elderly residents who are in danger of losing their home, or who are having difficulties paying their rent and are in danger of eviction. All MI low income house rentals have guidelines placed on them in regards to standards of living and safety. Each state and county will also have additional regulations and stipulations governing use of the Section 8 vouchers.

Opportunities for low income housing in Michigan are kept on a list provided to applicants by the MSHDA. Section 8 housing can include both single residential homes as well as multifamily homes (apartments). For more information about Michigan Section 8 housing programs, check out the details in the sections below:

• Section 8 eligibility in Michigan
• How to apply for Section 8 housing in Michigan
• Information about Section 8 waiting lists in Michigan
• Section 8 denials in Michigan

Learn About Section 8 Requirements in Michigan

Section 8 eligibility in MI is largely based on income. However, there are other factors that are considered as well. Section 8 applicants should know that household size, current assets and debts, and the ages of the members in the household will all be considered when determining eligibility.

What are the requirements for Section 8 eligibility in Michigan? In the state of Michigan, specifically, applicants are required to prove citizenship, verify income through tax return statements or bank statements, be able to pass a criminal background check, and be current with child support payments (if applicable). Regarding income-specific Section 8 eligibility restrictions, only applicants making 30 percent less than the average median income for the area will be considered eligible for the program. Preferences are given to those who are currently homeless, who have small children, or who are pregnant, disabled, or elderly.

“What do I need to apply for Section 8 housing?” is a question that most new applicants want to know. Those applying for Section 8 housing in Michigan will be required to gather many documents prior to filing their applications. The most requested documents are drivers licenses, passports, legal alien resident cards, bank statements, current tax returns, Social Security cards (for all members of the household), and any military or additional federal aid documents.

Others ask, “Do I qualify for Section 8 housing in Michigan?” The question is a valid one because not everyone qualifies for public assistance with rent or housing. Potential Section 8 housing applicants may qualify through income, but disqualify themselves by not meeting other criteria. If additional aid is being received from the state, this may also be considered as part of an applicant’s overall income.

Learn How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Michigan

Petitioners need to know how to apply for Section 8 housing in order to submit an application that will not be rejected due to a lack of documentation. In Michigan, there is a pre-screening process where the HUD Section 8 application is validated before being sent to the proper authorities. If there are any discrepancies at all, then the application will be rejected, and the causes for the rejection will be provided to the applicant. In any case, interested applicants can resubmit if their application is rejected during the pre-screening process.

Applicants can use the MI online application for low income housing to save time. Once the application is accepted, the applicant will receive notification via email and official U.S. mail. Information on how to sign up for Section 8 using the computer is provided online. However, the application may also be printed out and mailed in.

Eligibility for Section 8 housing in Michigan is determined by the MSHDA. After submission of an application, please allow 15 days before contacting the agency to check on its status. Check status for Section 8 applications either online or in person at the MSHDA or the HUD offices in the county where you applied. HUD Section 8 applications must be made for housing in the county where the applicant currently resides. Once an applicant has begun to register for Section 8 housing program benefits, a new application cannot be submitted in its place.

Learn About Section 8 Waiting Lists in Michigan

The Michigan low income housing waiting list covers all 83 counties in the state. However, a specific Section 8 housing program application waiting list is available for each particular county. The best way to check waiting list status for Section 8 in Michigan is to complete a status request form and then mail or email the request to the county offices. Applicants are placed on the waiting list by their determined state of need, the date and time that the pre-application was accepted, and when it was submitted.

Information about Section 8 waiting lists for specific counties can be obtained by going to the petitioner’s county listing and looking at the list. In any case, note that applicants may have their names dropped from the low income housing waiting list if the office has not received any updated information from them from year to year.

If an applicant’s name does not appear on the Section 8 housing waiting list 2016, it is likely that the applicant’s information had been deemed “out of date.” It is important to keep all information current, including changes that may occur in regards to living conditions, income, and household demographics. Finally, if you are asking “When will the Section 8 waiting lists open?” in certain counties, such as Iron, Leelanau, and Mecosta, the lists are open from October through December 22nd. Other counties evaluate their lists on a case-by-case basis.

Learn About Section 8 Denials in Michigan

Section 8 denial letters simply tell the petitioner that he or she has been determined to be ineligible to receive housing subsidies. What are the reasons for Section 8 denial? In the denial letter, the applicant will be informed as to why his or her application was denied. The letter will also inform the Section 8 petitioner of his or her rights in regards to an appeal. You can make an appeal, so long as it is filed within 10 days.

A Section 8 denial appeal is the formal process for disputing the denial letter. In Michigan, when the application was for an apartment (multifamily housing), the applicant must meet with the owner of the apartment to discuss the reason for his or her denial. The Section 8 housing authority is not the entity to contact in this instance.

Section 8 housing disqualificationsin MI often occur when the petitioner has not provided enough information about himself or herself, or when the information provided cannot be verified. It is important that the HUD Section 8 application be completely and honestly filled out before submission. If an applicant needs to know what to do if a Section 8 application was denied, then sending a certified letter to the owner of the building and setting up a meeting are the first necessary steps.

Learning how to appeal Section 8 denial letters in Michigan correctly is crucial, because if the appeals process determines that you are ineligible, you are no longer allowed to pursue an appeal or apply for housing benefits for a full year.

Website: Local Offices.

State: Michigan