Habitat Oakland leads critical homerepair program for eligible residents
Madison Heights residents who can’t afford home repairs may have a new way to get help.
The city has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County to launch a critical home-repair program for eligible homeowners living south of Lincoln and north of 1-696 between Dequindre and Stephenson Highway.
The program will repair and replace furnaces, hot water heaters, roofs, kitchen and bath upgrades, deck and porch replacements and, if needed, install new siding or other home upgrades. The goal is to improve long-term health and safety conditions.
City Manager Melissa Marsh said the program received $850,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), under the community project funding that was requested by then-U.S. Rep. Andy Levin for the 2023 budget.
“The funding is onetime unless we can secure partners to continue the program in future years,” Marsh said. “Depending
on the size of the projects we anticipate being able to serve between 35-50 homeowners.”
Habitat will be managing the money but must meet criteria set by HUD, which includes audits for each invoice Habitat submits to the city for reimbursement.
“Habitat will be working to assist applicants with funding from other programs,” Marsh said, including Owens Corning’s roof deployment program and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) property
improvement program, among others.
Habitat will review each owner’s application and check to see if that resident qualifies for other programs or financial assistance, including grants to cover the cost of home repairs.
To apply for the program, the resident must live in their own home and be current on such bills as the mortgage, property taxes (or current on a tax-payment plan) and homeowner’s insurance.
Habitat officials will inspect the home to ensure it’s in acceptable condition for the work to be performed.
Marsh said because funding is limited and will run out, it’s important for interested homeowners to contact Habitat as soon as possible.
Visit Habitat online at habitatoakland.org and click on the link for Madison Heights Home Repair or call (248) 338-1843, ext. 200.
Since being founded in 1995, Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County has created affordable housing for 1,700 individuals and families.