I need help finding reduced rent apartments in Flint, MI

(Request from Brandy in Flint, Michigan) Okay so I was staying with someone who have a open protective service case so now I got one open and they won’t leave me alone until I get me and my four kids in a house but I have no money right now. I don’t want my kids taken from me.

Dear Brandy,

It sounds like you need to obtain safe and affordable housing in order to provide a proper environment for your family. There are a few options that may be available in order to help you get the home that you need yet at a price that you will be able to afford.

Many of the rental assistance programs in Flint can help you get moved into a new apartment even if you do not have the cash upfront to cover a security deposit. This type of aid usually comes in the form of a grant so that you have no security deposit loan to repay.

Reduced Rent Housing

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority provides an online tool to help local tenants find affordable housing. The Michigan Housing Locator is the official tool for locating rental properties that meet your needs, including reduced rent apartments in Flint. You simply include your preferred ZIP code to find options in your neighborhood. One of the selections includes “rent based on income” making this a great way to find an affordable rental property available near you. Finding an affordable apartment at a reduced rate can help you meet your monthly expenses more easily.

Rental Assistance

The MI Bridges program is a state program that provides rent help in the form of cash assistance. Rental aid and emergency assistance are possible if you need extra help meeting the cash move-in requirements of a landlord. You can find out about how to receive this help by talking with a case manager at the Michigan Department of Human Services. It distributes emergency rental assistance through its Genesee County office on E. Union St. in Flint. Families with small children or pregnant mothers may be eligible for this cash aid.

For emergency rental assistance, the Salvation Army may be able to intervene on your behalf. The local chapter routinely receives grants to help people with emergency shelter plus rent and utility payments when necessary to prevent eviction and/or utility disconnection.

Flint Housing Commission

The Flint Housing Commission provides benefits to the lower income families that cannot afford to pay the rent charged by most private landlords. They can help in a couple of different ways.

First the agency administers reduced rent apartments in Flint for the benefit of those who need long-term subsidized rent. These apartments are comprised of several public housing projects that can provide lower cost rents to those who are trying to find safe housing. Those who are working, elderly, disabled or domestic violence victims normally receive preferred status on the waiting list.

Instead of living in a housing project, you may also qualify to live in a private home which is subsidized by the agency. If you can get through the waiting list, then you could rent from a private landlord anywhere in Flint and use Housing Choice Vouchers to pay a portion of your rent. You would be responsible for the remainder, which generally is 30% of your monthly income.

One of these agencies can help you find assistance coming up with the security deposit needed by your landlord. The Michigan Housing Locator can help you locate the best fit for your family. By taking advantage of these resources, you will find that a rental loan is likely unnecessary.