HOME Program
Wayne County receives an annual allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME Program).
The Department of Economic Development utilizes these funds to offer several programs
to expand the long-term supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing
throughout Wayne County. The HOME Program allows the County to support the development
of for-sale and rental housing developments that are made available to low and very-low-income
households. Projects may involve new construction, rehabilitation, or homebuyer
assistance for existing homes. Wayne County partners with non-profit organizations
to implement HOME projects. Projects located in the 37 HOME participating communities
listed below are eligible for assistance.
Eligibility & Application
HOME program services are for income-eligible families and individuals whose aggregate
household income is at or below 80% of Wayne County’s area median income listed
below.
- 1 person household $39,150
- 2 person household $44,750
- 3 person household $50.350
- 4 person household $55,900
- 5 person household $60,400
- 6 person household $64,850
- 7 person household $69,350
- 8 person household $73,800
Participating Eligible Communities
Allen Park, Belleville, Brownstown Township, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Garden City, Gibraltar,
Grosse Ile Township, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Gross
Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Woods, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, Huron
Township, Inkster, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Melvindale, Northville, Northville Township,
Plymouth, Plymouth Township, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Southgate,
Sumpter Township, Taylor, Trenton, Van Buren Township, Wayne, Woodhaven and Wyandotte.
First Time Home Buyers Program
First Time Homebuyer Brochure
Wayne County offers first time homebuyers down payment and closing cost assistance
when purchasing a home in any of the 37 participating communities. The assistance
comes in the form of an interest-free deferred loan that is due upon the sale of
the property by the loan recipient. For an existing property, the loan amount is
$5,000. For a newly constructed home, the loan amount is $10,000.
Each homebuyer must complete a home ownership counseling program in order to be
eligible for assistance. Currently Wayne County has a contract with the National
Faith Homebuyers Program to provide a series of classes in credit, buying a home,
qualifying for a mortgage, home maintenance, and other related topics. Each potential
homeowner earns a certificate of completion after a series of classes. First time
homebuyers are defined as a purchaser who has not owned a home within the last three
years. Interested person should contact National Faith Community Homebuyers at (313)
255-9500 to enroll in the program.
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Home Ownership Development Program
Wayne County’s Home Ownership Development Program allows the County to meet its
objective of creating affordable homeownership opportunities to low-income households.
Through the use of both development subsidies and homebuyer assistance, specific
projects can be supported that will have a significant impact on local neighborhoods.
Funding is reserved for projects that are expected to serve as a catalyst to jumpstart
and stabilize local housing markets within the six designated economically distressed
communities, which are Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale, River Rouge, Hamtramck
and Ecorse.
Wayne County can provide gap financing for home ownership projects that involve
major or minor rehabilitation. The purpose of this program is to provide assistance
to Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), municipalities, and other
community-based developers that are undertaking transformational projects that would
not be possible without the support of Wayne County. Developers interested in participating
in the program are required to complete a HOME Program Application. Applicants must
have site control in order to be considered for the funding. Each project is analyzed
individually to determine the level of subsidy needed to achieve marketability and
affordability within that specific housing market.
As a development partner, the County enters into a development and loan agreement
with the developer or sponsor. The County can then provide a blend of development
loans and grants as needed to bridge the gap between the Total Development Cost
and the Appraised Market Value. These upfront funds can be used for certain predevelopment
cost, acquisition and hard construction costs. Typically, these development subsidies
range from $10,000 to $40,000. Low-income homebuyers are eligible for additional
assistance in the form of a deferred loan equal to the difference between the appraised
value of the property and the primary mortgage amount that they could qualify for.
These deferred loans are generally limited to $20,000.
These projects typically involve a mixture of market rate and low-income units.
All properties improved through this program are required to achieve an Energy Star
certification. This program has been used successfully to construct a number of
mixed income condominium developments, subdivision, and infill projects.
Organizations interested in participating in the program are encouraged to consult
with the Housing Division in advance of completing the
HOME Intake Application.
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Rental Housing Development Program
Wayne County can provide gap financing for the development of newly constructed
or rehabilitated rental projects serving very-low income households and special
needs groups such as: seniors, homeless, or the disabled throughout the 37 participating
communities. Typically these are projects that primarily supported through subsidies
from either HUD Section 202, 811 or Supportive Housing Programs; Low Income Housing
Tax Credits from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority; or other similar
funding agencies. HOME Funds can be used to fill a gap in financing of up to $500,000.
All projects are required to achieve an Energy Star certification.
Developers interested in participating in the program are required to complete a
HOME Program Application. Applicants must have site control in order to be considered
for funding. The County’s contribution may be in the form of a loan or a grant to
the project, however it will be secured through a second mortgage to guarantee that
the units remain affordable to very-low income households throughout the HUD required
affordability period.
Organizations interested in participating in the program are encouraged to consult
with the Housing Division in advance of completing the
HOME Intake Application.
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Housing Rehabilitation Program
Wayne County's HOME Housing Rehabilitation Program assists low and moderate-income
homeowners in maintaining their homes. The program supports homeowners who would
otherwise be unable to obtain rehabilitation funds from traditional financial institutions.
Rehabilitation services include repairs and improvements that will bring a home
up to local housing codes. The County provides technical, financial, and administrative
assistance to local community development and housing officials, who then deliver
the services to eligible residents within their community.
The County currently offers the program in the communities of Lincoln Park and Livonia.
Homeowners living in Lincoln Park or Livonia in need of home repairs should contact
the Wayne County Housing Division at (313) 224-5011 for more information, or contact
the cities directly.
- City of Lincoln Park, Housing Rehabilitation Program, (313) 368-1800, ext. 295
- City of Livonia, Housing Rehabilitation Program. (734) 421-6450 ext. 103
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