State Eviction Diversion Program & Other Housing Resources

Michigan Eviction Diversion Program 

The State of Michigan has set up an eviction diversion program in partnership with the courts. The Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) is designed to keep Michigan residents who fell behind on their rent during COVID-19 in their homes. The program utilizes a special court process to get fast rental assistance for renters who have been impacted. Rental assistance in the amount of $50 million is available in the form of lump sum payments to landlords in exchange for allowing tenants to remain in their homes, forgiving late fees and up to 10% of amount due. Tenants and landlords should be directed to www.michigan.gov/edp for more information and links to their local Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA). This is a voluntary process, with the goal of creating a procedural environment that improves outcomes for landlords and tenants.

View eviction prevention information from the County's Office of Community & Economic Development here.

HOW IT WORKS

  • The Michigan State Housing Development Authority will be administering this program through its network of nonprofit homeless service providers, known as Housing Assessment and Resource Agencies (HARAs).
  • HARAs will, in collaboration with local stakeholders, design an eviction diversion process where tenants and landlords are notified about the program and eviction filings are resolved in as many cases as possible by conditional dismissals.
    • Conditional Dismissals, based on MCR 2.602, will outline the circumstances under which the landlord and tenant may resolve eviction-related matters, include eligible lump sum payments from Coronavirus Relief Funding (CRF) and other sources.
  • Tenants up to 100% of area median income are eligible for the rental assistance.
  • Opting into this program will allow landlords to get quick and substantial payments for back rent.
  • Using a Conditional Dismissal instead of a final judgment will protect the tenant's credit history.

Program Components:

  1. $60 million total appropriated from CRF (CARES Act Funds)
  2. $50 million for rental assistance
  3. Housing Assessment and Resource Agencies lead local teams – for Washtenaw County, that'd be the Shelter Association
  4. Courts began accepting new landlord/tenant filings on July 16th.
  5. Tenants up to 100% AMI
  6. Rental assistance varies based on income
  7. Settle cases with conditional dismissal

Rent Assistance is income-based, under the following structure: Rental Assistance Structure

Additional Eviction Prevention and Housing Resources