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COviD-19 RESOURCE GUIDE

UPDATES & DISCLAIMER:

 

This document is updated weekly on Monday to the best of our ability. For any updates, questions or comments please email info@capitalareahousing.org or call 517-332-HOME (4663).

 

The intent of this resource guide is to distribute as public information only. Thank you to the hard workers and agencies referenced who remain essential to our community. Stay safe. Stay healthy. 

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COVID-19 MID-MICHIGAN HOUSING RESOURCE GUIDE

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CAHP’s in-office visits are restricted until further notice. CAHP will be open remotely during that time and answering phone calls at 517-332- HOME (4663) Monday - Friday from 9am to 5pm.

 

As a HUD Housing Counseling agency, CAHP continues to offer free-of-charge financial counseling for homeowners, homebuyers and renters who may be struggling with a loss of income or other financial challenges during this time. Those seeking assistance can call us at 517-332-HOME (4663) to schedule a virtual appointment.

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CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) TESTING:

 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here to learn more.

 

State of Michigan COVID-19 hotline: 888-535-6136. Click here to learn more.

 

Translated COVID-19 Materials: Click here to learn more. 

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Ingham County Health Department vaccine information. Click here to learn more.

 

Barry-Eaton District Health Department. Click here to learn more.

 

Mid-Michigan District Health Department (Clinton County). Click here to learn more.

 

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:

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If you lost your job or have been laid off then you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Apply for online at Michigan.gov/UIA or 1-866-500-0017. Click here to learn more.

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RENTERS:


Capital Area Housing Partnership offers free-of-charge financial counseling for renters who may be struggling with a loss of income or other financial challenges during this time. Call CAHP at 517-332-HOME (4663) or visit www.capitalareahousing.org.

 

On August 26, 2021, the United States Supreme Court ended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s moratorium on residential evictions. If you are behind on your rent, mortgage, or utilities because of a pandemic-related hardship, please review the financial assistance programs below.

 

Rent Payment Assistance:

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The City of East Lansing has created the Emergency Rental & Mortgage Assistance Program to provide emergency support to income-eligible East Lansing residents in the issuance of rent or mortgage payments to persons experiencing financial hardships as a direct result of COVID-19. Click here to learn more.

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Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services to request help with rent payments. Call 517-241-3740, apply online at: www.mibridges.michigan.gov or email mdhhs-ingham-edp@michigan.gov.

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If you have a voucher or live in subsidized housing, report your loss of income to your voucher administrator or landlord immediately, in writing. Save a copy of the communication for your records.

Common area voucher administrators:

Lansing Housing Commission: 517-487-6550

Ingham County Housing Commission: 517-349-1643

Becka Management: 517-669-9706

 

For people experiencing homelessness who may be in a shelter or trying to access services, assistance may be available.

Ingham County: Call Capital Area Housing Partnership at 517-657-8145

Eaton County: Call Housing Services Mid-Michigan at 517-541-1180

Clinton County: Call Housing Services Mid-Michigan at 517-231-3961

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Housing Search Tools:

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HUD Affordable Rental Housing Search Tool. Click here to learn more.

MSHDA Housing Locator Online Search: Click here to learn more.

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EVICTIONS:

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The City of East Lansing has created the Emergency Rental & Mortgage Assistance Program to provide assistance to income-eligible residents for rent or mortgage payments to households experiencing financial hardships as a direct result of COVID-19. Click here to learn more.

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Previous moratoriums do not release you from any obligation under your lease. This means you still owe your landlord any rent that becomes due during this period. 

 

If your landlord is still trying to evict you during this time, call Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM) at 888-783-8190 immediately or visit www.lsscm.org.

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LEGAL RESOURCES:

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Legal Representation:

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Area County District Courts:

 

Domestic Relations Cases:

 

Circuit Courts continue to hear limited domestic relations matters. These being kept personal protection order matters and family law (divorce/custody/support) matters with emergency components. 

 

Non-emergency hearings/conferences will be rescheduled, and you should receive a notice in the mail after the courthouses re-open. Call the courthouses and/or check online for updates regarding rescheduling and/or to determine when the courthouses will resume normal operations. 

                       

Area County Circuit Courts:

 

Personal Protection Orders

 

Michigan Supreme Court requires lower courts to continue reviewing Petitions for Personal Protection Orders (PPOs) and making decisions on them amidst COVID-19. If you need to file for a Personal Protection Order, please contact the domestic violence shelter closest to you for assistance:

 

          

EMERGENCY SHELTER:

 

For people experiencing homelessness, who may be in a shelter or trying to access services, contact your local coordinated entry:

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  • Ingham County: Call Capital Area Housing at 517-657-8145

  • Eaton County: Call Housing Services Mid-Michigan at 517-541-1180

  • Clinton County: Call Housing Services Mid-Michigan at 517-231-3961

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HOMEOWNERS & MORTGAGE PAYMENTS:

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If you are experiencing difficulty making on-time mortgage payments due to the pandemic, start by understanding your options and reaching out for help. Click here to learn more.

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The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund was established to mitigate hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship. Click her to learn more and apply.

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Capital Area Housing Partnership offers free-of-charge financial counseling for homeowners who may be struggling with a loss of income, mortgage or tax foreclosure, or other financial challenges during this time. Those seeking assistance can call us at 517-332-HOME (4663) to schedule a virtual appointment or visit www.capitalareahousing.org.

 

Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services created MiMortgage Relief partnership with financial institutions. Participating banks and credit unions will provide a streamlined process for requesting forbearance options. Click here to learn more.

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Mortgage Payment Assistance:

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The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund was established to mitigate hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship. Click her to learn more and apply.

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The City of East Lansing has created the Emergency Rental & Mortgage Assistance Program to provide emergency support to income-eligible East Lansing residents in the issuance of rent or mortgage payments to persons experiencing financial hardships as a direct result of COVID-19. Click here to learn more.

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Michigan Department of Health & Human Services may have homeownership services available to provide payment for mortgage or land contract payments; property taxes and fees; mobile home lot rent; home insurance coverage. Click here to learn more.

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City of Lansing provides funding for homeowners looking to improve their homes through housing rehabilitation and/or to repair life threatening emergencies. Call 517-483-4040.

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HOMEBUYERS:

 

CAHP is offering their Homebuyer Education workshop online. The online workshop satisfies requirements for a homeownership education certificate to qualify for down payment assistance. Click here to learn more.

 

CAHP offers a variety of Down Payment Assistance programs for eligible buyers pursuing home ownership in mid-Michigan. Click here to learn more.

 

As a HUD Housing Counseling agency, CAHP continues to offer free-of-charge financial pre-purchase counseling for homebuyers who may be struggling with a loss of income or other financial challenges during this time. Those seeking assistance can call us at 517-332-HOME (4663) to schedule a virtual appointment.

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HOUSEHOLD BILLS

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FOOD & HOME SUPPLIES:

 

  • Michigan SNAP Food Assistance Program. Click here to learn more.

  • To connect with Mid-Michigan emergency food resources, call 2-1-1 or visit www.centralmichigan211.org​

  • For questions about food resources, call the Greater Lansing Food Bank assistance line at: 517-899-9457.

  • MSU Food Bank is planning to continue operations for the foreseeable future. Students and families can make appointments by e-mail at foodbank@msu.edu.

  • Meals on Wheels for Seniors. Click here to learn more.

  • Tri-County Office on Aging meal pickups are available for those over 60. Call 517-887-1393.

  • For personal and household needs, call The Salvation Army at 517-484-4424 ext. 100.

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UTILITIES:

 

Lansing Board of Water and Light - BWL urges any customer struggling to pay their current bill to contact customer service to set up a bill payment plan by calling 517-702-6006. Click here to learn more.

 

Consumers Energy – Consumers Energy is working to ensure that vulnerable residential customers have the services they need. Any customer who needs help paying their energy bill should contact Consumers to discuss assistance options. Click here to learn more or call 800-477-5050.

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DTE – DTE encourages any customer having trouble paying their bill to contact them directly. Click here to learn more or call 800-477-4747.

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Michigan Department of Health & Human Services may have temporary heat and utility assistance for eligible low-income families through the State Emergency Relief (SER) program. Click here to learn more.

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STUDENT LOAN DEBT:

 

The U.S. Department of Education announced a final extension of the pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections through December 31, 2022, and targeted debt cancellation for borrowers. Learn more.

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If you do not know who your federal student loan servicer is, click here to learn more.

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INTERNET:

 

Affordable internet service plans are available to households with school age children. Click here to learn more.

 

Visit Everyone On to learn what Internet options are available for low-income families in our area, including mobile hotspots.  The site also lists information on discounted computers for qualified families, as well as local training opportunities.

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TAXES:

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TAX FILING RESOURCES

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Get Your Refund.org: Free

https://www.getyourrefund.org/en

 

Connect with a VITA volunteer for real time tax assistance over the phone for households making up to $66,000 per year. Participants upload their tax documents and ID electronically; the VITA tax preparer will call you to help complete your return.

 

Local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

https://www.micauw.org/free-tax-help

 

Capital Area United Way is offering income tax filing assistance. Following a short interview, you will work with an IRS-certified volunteer over the phone to prepare your taxes. This service is for households with incomes of $57,000 or less. Simply dial 2-1-1 to schedule your appointment. 

 

Credit Karma Tax: $0

https://www.creditkarma.com/tax

 

File online for free including W-2s, self-employed schedule C, Schedule E & Schedule SE. Must register for a Credit Karma account.

 

TurboTax Intuit Online: Free Edition

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/free-edition.jsp

 

Free edition to file online available for W-2 tax returns

 

H & R Block Online: Free Edition

https://www.hrblock.com/online-tax-filing/free-online-tax-filing/

 

Free edition to file online available for W-2 tax returns

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HOUSING RESOURCE WORKSHOPS:

 

Capital Area Housing Partnership offers monthly financial education and do-it-yourself themed workshops virtually. Topics include Managing Your Money During COVID-19, Identity Theft, Exterior Home Maintenance Tips, and Power Tools 101. Visit our online calendar to register at www.capitalreahousing.org/calendar or call 517-332-HOME (4663).

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 COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

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Capital Area Transit Authority (CATA). Call 517-394-CATA (2282) or Click here to learn more.

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Know your rights in housing and public accommodations. Contact the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid-Michigan if you believe you have been a victim of housing discrimination. Call 877-979-3247 or click here to learn more.

 

Crisis counseling services are available through The Salvation Army. Call 517-484-4424.

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DISCLAIMER:

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This document is updated weekly to the best of our ability. The intent of this resource guide is to distribute public information only. Thank you to the hard workers and agencies referenced who remain essential to our community. Stay safe. Stay healthy. 

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CALL CENTRAL MICHIGAN 2-1-1 OR TOLL FREE 866.561.2500

FOR COMMUNITY REFERRALS

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Questions? E-Mail info@capitalareahousing.org or call 517-332-HOME (4663).

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To access a PDF of this Guide, click the link below:

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