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Home & Housing Information

 

Fair Housing Center
- Home Equity Conversion Mortgage
- Home Repair/Modification
- Michigan State Housing Development Authority
- Michigan Housing Locator
- Housing Commissions

Fair Housing Center

The Fair Housing Center handles discrimination complaints regarding the purchase, rental, or financing housing on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, familial status (families with children), and disability status, as well as age and marital status (state law only).

The Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit

220 Bagley, Room 1020
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 963-1274
www.fairhousinginmichigan.org.

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Home Equity Conversion Mortgage
(Reverse Mortgage)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created one of the first reverse mortgage loans in the country. HUD’s reverse mortgage is a federally -insured private loan, and it’s a safe plan that can give older Americans greater financial security. Many seniors use it to supplement Social Security, meet unexpected medical expenses, make home improvements, and more.

What is a Reverse Mortgage? A reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan that lets a homeowner convert a portion of the equity in his or her home into cash. The equity built up over years of home mortgage payments can be paid to you. But unlike a traditional home equity loan or a second mortgage, no repayment is required until the borrower(s) no longer use the home as their principal residence.

Can I qualify for a HUD reverse mortgage? To be eligible for a HUD reverse mortgage, HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires that the borrower is a homeowner, 62 years of age or older; own your home outright, or have a low mortgage balance that can be paid off at the closing with proceeds from the reverse loan; and must live in the home. You are further required to receive consumer information from HUD-approved counseling sources prior to obtaining the loan. You can contact the Housing Counseling Clearinghouse at (800) 569-4287 to obtain the name and telephone number of a HUD-approved counseling agency and a list of FHA approved lenders within your area (also listed below). Counseling agencies can also provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, and credit issues.

If you receive any federal or state benefits, be sure that this does not interfere with your eligibility. A reverse mortgage does not have to be repaid for as long as the homeowner lives in the home. The mortgage becomes due if the individual has lived out of the residence (such as a health care facility) for over a year.

Be sure to explore your options before refinancing or getting a reverse mortgage on your home. Are you eligible for any entitlements or benefits that would help to cover some expenses? It is recommended for you to discuss your personal situation with an attorney (see "Legal Assistance" in section). Even though other individuals have benefited from this option, be sure it is right for you!

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD counseling and referral line: (800) 569-4287
Website section for seniors: www.hud.gov/groups/seniors.cfm

For additional information about reverse mortgages
AARP | (888) 687-2277 | www.aarp.org
Fannie Mae | (800) 732-6643 | www.fanniemae.com
Federal Trade Commission (877) 382-4357 | www.ftc.gov
National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association | www.reversemortgage.org

HUD approved counseling agencies:

  • Greenpath: (866) 648-8114 or (888) 776-6735
    Allen Park, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Eastpointe, Farmington Hills, Southfield and Westland

  • Bethel Housing Counseling Agency: (313) 833-9912
    Detroit

  • Detroit Non-Profit Housing Corporation: (313) 972-1111

  • Phoenix Housing & Counseling : (313) 964-4207
    Detroit

  • ACCEL: (866) 643-8114
    Farmington Hills

National HCEM Counseling Network
Approved by HUD to provide counseling

  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling: (866) 698-6322

  • Money Management International: (877) 908-2227

  • AARP: (800) 209-8085

The lender must also be approved by HUD/FHA to handle a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. The following are approved lenders (list may not be exhaustive). A list of lenders for the state of Michigan can be viewed online at www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecmhome.cfm. Compare costs and services before making a decision.

HUD/FHA approved lenders:

  • Alliance Mortgage
    (800) 350-8718

  • Colonial Mortgage
    (800) 260-5484

  • Financial Freedom Senior Funding Corporation
    (888) 739-6555

  • First Financial Mortgage
    (800) 720-7003

  • Funds for Seniors
    (800) 685-1917

  • Independence Mortgage
    (517-349-3963)

  • Pillar Financial Corporation
    (800) 773-4444

  • U.S. Financial Mortgage
    (866) 558-7362

  • Van Dyke Mortgage
    (888) 482-6395

  • Vista Mortgage
    (888) 304-5691

  • Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
    (800) 336-7359

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Home Repair and Modification

Home modifications are changes made to living spaces which enable people with physical limitations to live at home and maintain independence. Considerations include accessibility, adaptability, assistive technology, and universal design.
Home modification information is available by the following agencies to help evaluate your current and future needs
:

Whether you need to make a few repairs to your home or have home modifications to complete, there are low-interest loans available to eligible homeowners.

Many local communities offer low-interest block grants to eligible residents. Contact the Planning or Community Development department at your city/township hall (listed under "Communities" in this directory) for information.

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The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)

(800) 327-9158 | (517) 373-1974
(800) 382-4568 (TTY)
www.michigan.gov/mshda
MSHDA has a loan program to assist home owners with home repairs. The Property Improvement Program (PIP) is offered statewide through local participating lending institutions and community organizations. Potential borrowers must contact a local agent to receive an application package, which will include a program brochure. There are over 150 participating lenders statewide. Loans through this program are available for primary residences and non-owner occupied properties of 1-4 units. Interest rates range from 1% to 8% depending on the total gross household income. The term and repayment amount will vary depending on loan size and ability to repay.

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Michigan Housing Locator
www.MichiganHousingLocator.com

The Michigan Housing Locator is an online search tool to locate affordable rental housing. The services provided are free to property owners and renters. Search for properties by rent cost, location, bedroom size, accepts Housing Choice Vouchers, has accessible units, or options that base rent on income.
The Locator was developed in conjunction with RentLinx, by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Michigan Housing Council, Property Management Association of Michigan, and the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition.

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Housing Commission

Allen Park Housing Commission
17000 Champaign
Allen Park, MI 48101
(313) 928-5970

Dearborn Housing Commission
13615 Michigan Ave
Dearborn, MI 48126
(313) 943-2390

Ecorse Housing Commission
266 Hyacinth
Ecorse, MI 48141
(313) 561-2355

Lincoln Park Housing Commission
1356 Electric
Lincoln Park, MI 48146

Livonia Housing Commission
19130 Purlingbrook
Livonia, MI 48152
(248) 474-4340

Melvindale Housing Commission
3501 Oakwood Boulevard
Melvindale, MI 48167
(248) 349-8030

Plymouth Housing Commission
1160 Sherdian
Plymouth, MI 48170
(734) 455-3670

River Rouge Housing Commission
180 Visger Rd
River Rouge, MI 48218
(313) 382-1414

Rockwood Housing Commission
32409 Fort Street
Rockwood, MI 48173
(734) 379-9700

Romulus Housing Commission
34200 Beverly Road
Romulus, MI 48174
(734) 729-5389

Taylor Housing Commission
15270 Plaza South Drive
Taylor, MI 48180
(734) 287-9460

Wayne Housing Commission
4001 South Wayne Road
Wayne, MI 48184
(734) 721-8602

Westland Housing Commission
32715 Dorsey Road
Westland, MI 48185
(734) 467-3257

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