Program in Flint looks to pay for people to make their homes more accessible

FLINT, Mich.— Flint and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority have teamed up to offer the MI Neighborhood Home Accessibility Upgrades Program to both renters and homeowners. The program looks to help people make their house easier to get around in by building ramps, widening door frames, adding an accessible shower, and more.

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Flint received a $472,000 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. $72,000 is for administration and $400,000 will to upgrade the homes.

The program is set up to bring homes into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“An occupational therapist will go into the homes and see what the residents are requesting and the occupational therapist will make the decision on what improvements have to be made.” said Rod Slaughter, Deputy Director of Community Services for Flint, said.

The city hopes to hire local contractors to build the upgrades.

To apply, you must make less then the maximum income, your utilities must be working, and your taxes and mortgage payments need to be up to date.

“One of the other things that are required is that you have to have the house insured. If you’re a renter, it’s renters insurance, if you’re a homeowner, you need insurance on the house.” he said.

Slaughter says the program will pay up to $40,000 in upgrades per house. If you get work done that costs more than $10,000, they will place a lien on your property for the next five years.

He says that step is taken to make sure people are getting the upgrades they need and not just flipping the home.

“If you’re a renter, it’s so that the landlord can’t go up on the rent because of the improvement. So, the landlord is only able to move the rent up by 10 percent.” Slaughter said.

For more information on how you can apply, click here.