MSHDA Announces Availability of $10 Million in Nonprofit and Government Funding for Energy-Oriented Home Repair Projects

LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced the creation of a $10 million grant program to empower local government and nonprofit agencies with resources to help low-income families make energy-efficient home upgrades and repairs.

The Michigan Housing Opportunities Promoting Energy-Efficiency (MI-HOPE) program will provide competitive grants ranging from $100,000 to $1 million to entities that submit proposals that promote collaborative partnerships and plans to strategically leverage program grants to assist as many households as possible. Grants can be used to facilitate energy efficiency-focused residential housing repairs and upgrades to owner-occupied homes and nonowner-occupied single-family homes and multifamily properties consisting of up to three units. The program caps the amount of total assistance for either an owner-occupied home or nonowner-occupied unit at $25,000.

Once award determinations are made in Fall 2022, government and nonprofit agencies will expedite funding to families. They are responsible for identifying households in need of energy-efficiency home structural repair and/or mechanical system upgrades. All energy-oriented home repair projects must be identified as necessary and critical for the current occupant.

“We are thrilled to kick off this program and know these grants will be transformative for homeowners. They will be able to make much-needed repairs that they otherwise may not be able to afford,” said Tonya Joy, MSHDA Neighborhood Housing Initiatives Division director. “In addition to the short-term benefit and impact on the household itself, we also see this program having a long-term community impact that improves the existing housing stock and increases area home values.”

Funding award determinations will be based on geographical regional distribution, area need, timing feasibility, organizational capacity, public and/or private partnerships, and identified leveraged resources. Respondents must be able to use funds strategically and mobilize quickly to meet the multi-year action response that is desired. At least 30% of the overall funding is reserved for rural communities, including at least 5% targeting the Upper Peninsula.

MI-HOPE was created using U.S. Department of the Treasury American Rescue Plan (ARP) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). The funding was part of the bipartisan investments made in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Building Michigan Together Plan.

“Every Michigander deserves a safe, affordable place to call home and a vibrant community that they can take pride in,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Today’s MI-HOPE grants will help local governments and nonprofits fund energy-efficiency upgrades and critical home repairs for families that need them most. These repairs and upgrades will lower costs and make homes more comfortable to live in. The MI-HOPE grants deliver on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to families, and I’ll keep working with MSHDA to ensure we get them out the door and deliver for Michiganders.”

The deadline for 501(c) nonprofit agencies and government entities to submit applications for funding is August 15, 2022. Details regarding the application process can be found at this link on MSHDA’s website: Michigan Housing Opportunities Promoting Energy Efficiency Program (MI-HOPE).

About MSHDA  

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), established in 1966, provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, develop vibrant cities, towns and villages, and address homeless issues.