Housing & Financial in Michigan

14 verified resources.

About Housing & Financial for Fathers

Housing and financial assistance for fathers comes through a combination of federal programs (HUD, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP) and state/local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with long waitlists in most markets. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing are funded through the federal Continuum of Care program — every region has a Coordinated Entry system that assesses and places homeless adults and families. Rental assistance, utility assistance (LIHEAP), and one-time emergency funds are available through community action agencies and 211 referral lines. Fathers with children in their custody may qualify for Section 8 family priority and TANF, though state rules vary. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 call lines, and community action agencies that serve single dads.

Housing & Financial in Michigan

Michigan family courts (a division of circuit court) handle custody and related matters in each of its 83 counties, with Friend of the Court offices providing investigation, mediation, and enforcement support specific to Michigan. The Office of Child Support runs statewide enforcement. Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, and Sterling Heights are the largest metros. Michigan Legal Help online self-help center is one of the most robust in the US.

14 Resources

1. Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) — Free

State agency in Lansing providing affordable housing resources including down payment assistance, rental assistance, Housing Choice Vouchers, and homebuyer education statewide. Serves low- and moderate-income residents. Applicants can apply online or contact a MSHDA-partnered lender or counseling agency; bring photo ID, proof of income such as pay stubs, and household size documentation when applying.

517-373-8370 · 735 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. GCCARD (Genesee County Community Action) — Free

Flint-area community action agency providing emergency assistance, weatherization, utility payment help, housing counseling, and homelessness prevention for Genesee County residents. Serves low-income households. Intake is by phone during business hours; bring photo ID, proof of income, proof of residency, Social Security numbers for household members, and any shut-off or eviction notices when applying.

810-232-6051 · 2727 Lippincott Blvd, Flint, MI 48507 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

3. The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit — Free

Provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, rent and utility assistance, and permanent supportive housing programs for individuals and families in metro Detroit from the Southfield divisional office. Serves low-income households. Intake is by phone during business hours; bring photo ID, proof of income, proof of residency, and any shut-off or eviction notices when applying for emergency assistance.

313-965-7760 · 16130 Northland Dr, Southfield, MI 48075 · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

4. GreenPath Financial Wellness — Free

Michigan-based HUD-approved nonprofit headquartered in Farmington Hills providing free housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, reverse mortgage counseling, and debt and budgeting services nationwide. Services are delivered by phone, video, or in person. Clients should have recent pay stubs, a list of monthly expenses, and any mortgage or collection notices available when scheduling an initial counseling session.

800-550-1961 · 36500 Corporate Dr, Farmington Hills, MI 48331 · Mon-Fri 8am-10pm ET; Sat 9am-6pm · Visit Website

5. Community Housing Network (Southeast Michigan) — Free

Provides permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, homeless prevention, and housing counseling for low-income individuals and families in southeast Michigan from their Mount Clemens office. Serves Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. Intake is by phone; bring photo ID, proof of income, proof of residency, Social Security numbers, and any eviction or shut-off notices when applying.

248-928-0111 · 44 N Main St, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Michigan DHHS - Emergency Relief — Free

State emergency assistance program (State Emergency Relief) providing one-time help with rent, mortgage, utility payments, and home repairs for eligible Michigan families facing financial crisis. Apply online through MI Bridges or at a local MDHHS office. Applicants need photo ID, Social Security numbers for household members, proof of income, and documentation of the emergency such as shut-off or eviction notices.

844-799-9876 · Apply at local MDHHS office or via MI Bridges · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Capital Area Community Services (Lansing) — Free

Community action agency serving the Lansing area and mid-Michigan providing emergency assistance, weatherization, housing stabilization, and financial empowerment for low-income households. Intake is by phone during business hours; bring photo ID, proof of income, proof of residency, Social Security numbers for household members, and any shut-off or eviction notices when applying at the E Willow Street office.

517-999-2894 · 101 E Willow St, Suite 200, Lansing, MI 48906 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

8. Detroit Housing Commission — Free

Public housing authority managing low-income public housing units and administering Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) for Detroit residents. Applicants can check waiting list status and apply during open enrollment periods online or at the E Jefferson Avenue office. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for household members, proof of income, and prior residency information when completing the application.

313-877-8000 · 1301 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48207 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Grand Rapids Housing Commission — Free

Public housing authority managing low-income public housing units and Housing Choice Vouchers for Grand Rapids families from the Fuller Avenue office. Applicants can check waiting list status and apply during open enrollment periods online or in person. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for household members, proof of income, and prior residency information when applying.

616-235-2600 · 1420 Fuller Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. HUD Housing Counseling – Michigan — Free

Free, HUD-certified housing counselors across Michigan assist residents with foreclosure prevention, eviction response, rental assistance navigation, and homebuyer education. Residents can call the HUD hotline or search the HUD counselor locator by ZIP code. Bring recent mortgage or lease documents, pay stubs, a list of monthly expenses, and any notices from the landlord or lender to the counseling session.

800-569-4287 · Mon-Fri 8am-8pm ET · Visit Website

11. St. Vincent de Paul – Michigan — Free

Emergency rent, utility, and food assistance provided regardless of religion by local St. Vincent de Paul conferences across Michigan, typically based in Catholic parishes. Residents find their nearest conference on the national website or through their local parish. Applicants should bring photo ID, proof of residency, proof of income, and any shut-off or eviction notices when requesting emergency assistance.

Conferences statewide · Varies by conference · Visit Website

12. Kalamazoo Community Action Agency — Free

Community action agency providing emergency assistance, weatherization, housing stabilization, and financial empowerment for low-income families in Kalamazoo County from the S Rose Street office. Intake is by phone during business hours; bring photo ID, proof of income, proof of residency, Social Security numbers for household members, and any shut-off or eviction notices when applying.

269-373-7829 · 1101 S Rose St, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

13. Lighthouse – Oakland County Emergency Services — Free

Oakland County nonprofit in Pontiac providing emergency food, housing assistance, and financial support for families in crisis, including rental and utility assistance, food pantry access, and case management. Intake is by phone during business hours; bring photo ID, proof of residency in Oakland County, proof of income, and any shut-off or eviction notices when applying for emergency services.

248-920-6100 · 46156 Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

14. Habitat for Humanity – Michigan — Free

Affordable homeownership for qualifying low- and moderate-income families through 60+ local Michigan affiliates that build and rehabilitate homes statewide. Applicants partner with a local affiliate, complete sweat-equity hours, and qualify through income and credit review. Residents should contact their nearest affiliate for application windows; typical documents include photo ID, pay stubs, and tax returns.

Michigan affiliates statewide · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

Housing & Financial — Common Questions

How long is the waitlist for Section 8?
Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.
What does 211 do?
211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.
Can single dads get TANF?
Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.
What's LIHEAP?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.