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Housing assistance in Michigan

Emergency help with heat, utilities, rent arrears, security deposits and moving costs comes through the Department of Health and Human Services' State Emergency Relief (SER) program. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) runs the state's largest Housing Choice Voucher program. State law (MCL 123.411) bars local governments from controlling rents on private housing.

Last checked Sources

Where to apply for rental assistance and vouchers

Section 8 vouchers and public housing are run by local public housing agencies (PHAs). Each keeps its own waiting list, so apply to every agency serving places you could live. The state housing finance agency funds affordable apartments and homebuyer programs but usually does not take voucher applications.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)LansingPublic housing agencyDetroit Housing CommissionDetroitPublic housing agencyLansing Housing CommissionLansingPublic housing agencyFlint Housing CommissionFlintPublic housing agency Michigan State Housing Development AuthorityStatewideHousing finance agency Every housing agency in MichiganHUD directoryFind agencies serving your area

Ask each agency: Is the waiting list open? How do I apply, and how will you contact me? Never pay to apply or to move up a list. See how to apply for Section 8 and how waiting lists work.

Programs and free legal help in Michigan

Rent and homelessness prevention

  • State Emergency Relief (SER): Relocation and other emergency help Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

    Emergency help for low-income households that are usually able to get by. Relocation assistance can cover rent, rent arrears, security deposits or moving expenses in qualifying situations, and the program also helps with home repairs and weatherization.

Shelter and referrals

  • Michigan 211 Michigan 211

    Statewide referral service that connects residents with local help, including housing and utility assistance.

    Call 211

Energy and utility bills

  • State Emergency Relief (SER): Heat & Utilities Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

    Temporary help for low-income households whose heat or electric service has been or will be shut off. It can restore or continue service for at least 30 days or pay for a 30-day supply of deliverable fuel. Households pay a required share based on household size.

Free legal help

  • Michigan Legal Help Michigan Legal Help

    Free self-help information and do-it-yourself tools for housing problems, including an Answer to an eviction complaint, repair request letters and security deposit guides. Its Guide to Legal Help connects people with legal aid lawyers.

Key tenant laws in Michigan

Statewide rules for most private rentals. Cities, counties, subsidized housing, and your lease can add protections, and some rules have exceptions. Read the linked law before relying on a deadline.

Security deposit limit

Capped at 1½ months' rent.

MCL 554.602

Deposit return deadline

Within 30 days after the tenant moves out, the landlord must mail an itemized list of damages with estimated repair costs, plus a check or money order for the rest of the deposit. The tenant should give a forwarding address within 4 days of moving out and has 7 days to respond by mail to the list. A landlord who wants to keep money that is in dispute must sue within 45 days of move-out. If the landlord does not sue or return the deposit, a tenant who followed the rules can sue for double the deposit.

MCL 554.609; Michigan Legal Help

Notice before an eviction for unpaid rent

7 days after service of a written demand for possession for nonpayment of rent, the landlord may file to recover possession in court. Rent due does not include accelerated rent owed for breaking the lease.

MCL 600.5714(1)(a)

Landlord entry notice

Michigan Legal Help says a landlord cannot enter without your permission except in an emergency, and should give notice a reasonable time before entering to make repairs. Check your lease for any specific entry terms.

Michigan Legal Help, Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

Rent increases and rent control

State law preempts local rent control: no county, city, village or township may enact, maintain or enforce an ordinance controlling rent on private residential property. Local governments may still use voluntary incentives to increase the supply of moderate- and low-cost rentals.

MCL 123.411

If the landlord won’t make repairs

The landlord must keep the unit fit and in reasonable repair and follow health and safety laws (this duty can be modified only in leases of 1 year or more). Michigan Legal Help says that if a landlord does not respond to a repair request, a tenant may put rent in a separate escrow account or pay for repairs and deduct the cost. The tenant must tell the landlord in writing and keep records, because withholding can lead to an eviction case.

MCL 554.139; Michigan Legal Help

This is general information, not legal advice. If you have a notice or court papers, contact legal aid right away. See facing eviction, security deposit rights, and repairs and habitability.

Phone lines that serve Michigan

More local contacts: HUD’s Michigan resource page.

Next steps

  1. Urgent? If you need shelter tonight or have an eviction court date, start with urgent housing help.
  2. Behind on rent: call 211 and apply to several programs at once. Use our payment plan letter to propose terms to your landlord in writing.
  3. Long-term help: apply to every housing agency above, plus income-restricted apartments. Gather your documents first.
  4. Check affordability: use the rent affordability calculator or the Section 8 rent calculator.

Sources

Checked October 10, 2026. Laws, programs, and agency websites change; confirm details with the agency or court before relying on them. Report a correction.

  1. MCL 554.602 Security deposit; amountMichigan Legislature (viewed via Internet Archive snapshot, Aug. 2025)
  2. MCL 554.609 Itemized list of damagesMichigan Legislature (viewed via Internet Archive snapshot, Sept. 2025)
  3. MCL 600.5714 Summary proceedings to recover possessionMichigan Legislature (viewed via Internet Archive snapshot, Sept. 2025)
  4. MCL 123.411 Rent control prohibitedMichigan Legislature (viewed via Internet Archive snapshot, Aug. 2025)
  5. MCL 554.139 Covenants of fitness and repairMichigan Legislature (viewed via Internet Archive snapshot, Aug. 2025)
  6. Your Security Deposit: What It Is and How to Get It BackMichigan Legal Help
  7. Tenant Rights and ResponsibilitiesMichigan Legal Help
  8. Michigan Legal HelpMichigan Legal Help
  9. Emergency Relief: Home, Utilities & BurialMichigan Department of Health and Human Services (viewed via Internet Archive snapshot, Sept. 25, 2026)
  10. Heat & UtilitiesMichigan Department of Health and Human Services (viewed via Internet Archive snapshot, Aug. 21, 2026)
  11. Michigan 211Michigan 211
  12. MI State Housing Development AuthorityMSHDA (viewed via Internet Archive snapshot, Oct. 8, 2026)
  13. Detroit Housing CommissionDetroit Housing Commission
  14. Lansing Housing CommissionLansing Housing Commission
  15. Flint Housing CommissionFlint Housing Commission
  16. Public Housing Authorities datasetU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development