Down Payment Assistance Program

Down Payment Assistance Program is sponsored by Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit. The Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit offers down payment assistance through its "Opportunity Fund" for new homebuyers.

Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit's Down Payment Assistance Program 5555 Conner St. , Suite 2244, Detroit, MI 48213-3487 5555 Conner St.

, Suite 2244, Detroit, MI 48213-3487 Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit's Down Payment Assistance Program Steve Tomkowiak • August 26, 2024 Making Home Ownership a Reality for Many Families The Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit is pleased to announce that it has received an "Opportunity Fund" amount to be used for down payment assistance.

The down payment assistance funds are available under the following conditions: The funds will be used for down payment assistance of up to $10,000 for new homebuyers. Although a preference will be given to new homebuyers or homeowners seeking to purchase or refinance a home for $100,000 or less, down payment assistance is available for purchases above $100,000.

As a condition of the down payment assistance, the homebuyers and homeowners will be required to provide copies of their purchase agreement, appraisal(s), and the requested loan amount. The homebuyers or homeowners participating in this program will be required to execute any necessary release for the disclosure of such records and information. The program is available on a statewide basis.

So far, 6 families have been aided by the program and closed on their purchase of a new home. Congratulations to Nen, Shi'Toya, Alma, Danielle, and Demetrius for their new homes in Detroit and to Danyelle for her new home in Warren.

Funds are limited to please do not hesitate to contact our office--or have your lending institution contact our office--via email Fair Housing Victory: Settlement Reached in Grosse Pointe Park Racial Harassment Case An FHCMD referral to University of Michigan Law School Civil Rights Litigation Initiative leads to a confidential settlement in a severe Grosse Pointe Park racial harassment case.

Fair Housing Rights When Buying a Home Understanding what discrimination looks like during the home purchase process and how to protect your rights with lenders, real estate agents, and sellers. Seniors, Disability Rights, and Fair Housing Many of us will experience physical changes or cognitive decline as we age.

Whether seeking new housing or living in a condo, apartment, rental housing, or even an assisted living facility or nursing home, seniors with disabilities are entitled to fair housing protections. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , approximately 2 in 5 adults aged 65 and older experience disabilities that affect daily life.

Vision or hearing loss, mobility impairment, chronic health conditions, and cognitive decline are more likely to occur or become more significant as people age. Ultimately, disabilities do not have to restrict a person's housing options. Understanding Accommodations and Modifications Disabled individuals, as well as family members and caregivers assisting them, can make requests for accommodations and physical modifications.

Common examples include: Physical Modifications: Installing grab bars, raising toilet seat heights, or adding visual safety features like flashing lights connected to fire alarms for individuals with hearing impairments. Rule and Policy Adjustments: Reserved parking space, granting a move to a lower floor, or permitting a live-in caregiver. Communication Support: Sign language interpretation or auxiliary aids.

When a resident makes a request, a housing provider may ask for documentation from a healthcare provider linking the disability to the requested accommodation or modification. Housing providers must generally grant these requests as long as they do not impose an excessive cost or unreasonable burden. Housing providers should be mindful of ways that make the accommodation process as accessible as possible.

Tenants who are not tech-savvy or who may be experiencing cognitive decline may have challenges completing an online form or using an app. Remaining proactive and offering alternative methods if a resident appears to be struggling with an accommodation process will help ensure that your accommodation and modification request process is accessible. Who Pays for Modifications?

Responsibility for modification costs depends on the type of housing. While residents in market-rate housing are generally responsible for funding physical modifications, those living in subsidized or low-income senior communities may not have to pay. Landlords who receive federal financial assistance are required to fund approved reasonable modifications for residents with disabilities.

(For a deeper dive into making requests, read our article: Fair Housing Rights: Knowing Your Options for Disability Accommodations and Modifications ) We Are Here to Help You don't have to navigate housing accommodation and modification requests alone—we're here to help.

Contact us through our website or give us a call at 313-579-FAIR (3247) to discuss fair housing rights and questions, receive support with addressing possible fair housing law violations, or to receive help in requesting disability accommodations and modifications.

What You Need to Know about Sexual Harassment Identifying Sexual Harassment in Housing Fair Housing Rights: Knowing Your Options for Disability Accommodations and Modifications What Every Tenant Should Know Community Supports Most Successful Fair Housing Bikeathon Yet Fifth annual event rallies almost two hundred supporters for equal housing opportunity.

The Fair Housing Center Welcomes Lisa Franklin as a New Board Member Lisa joined the Center after nearly 30 years of experience as a wheelchair user and close to 17 years advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. In 2008, Lisa founded Warriors on Wheels of Metropolitan Detroit (“WOW”) and currently serves as its Executive Director and CEO.

Through WOW, Lisa focuses on disability rights, accessibility, and community engagement. In these efforts, Lisa not only seeks to meet the critical needs for civic access and passageways, affordable housing units, and safe, reliable transportation, but strives to transform these accessibility points into cohesive design visions that impact communities for a better tomorrow.

As Lisa puts it, she “makes it a priority to impact the urban communities in the cities of Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, and Dearborn on compliance with the ADA and other laws, not just technically, but addressing human spirit, morals, and values.

” Lisa’s civic involvement and service are broad and varied, ranging from her service on the State of Michigan’s Barrier Free Design Board for Accessibility to her services on the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan and the City of Detroit’s Human Rights Commission. In recent years, 50-60% or more of the Center’s complaints involve claims of discrimination against persons with disabilities.

The Center has assisted and initiated numerous enforcement actions involving disability discrimination. The Center’s Board and Staff welcome the valuable perspective and expertise that Lisa will bring as a new Board member. Grosse Pointe Board of Realtors, Chili, & Fair Housing Our friends at the Grosse Pointe Board of Realtors (GPBR) have invited everyone to join them at a chili cookoff event on October 15, 2025, from 11 a.

m. to 1 p. m.

, at The Rivers of Grosse Pointe, 900 Cook Rd, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 . The GPBR has asked the Center to take a few minutes to explain why fair housing remains so important today. The competition will be fierce.

The chili promises to be insanely good. This should be a lot of fun. Please take a short lunch break from your busy schedule to join us.

Homelessness & Fair Housing Our lack of understanding impacts our ability to address the problem of homelessness How Familiar Are You With American Sign Language (ASL) Requirements in Housing? Question No. 1: As of 2021, what percent of the U.S. population are deaf or have serious difficulty hearing? 1.

6% 2. 6% 3. 6% 4.

6% 5. 6% Question No. 2: How many deaf people live in the U.S. as of 2021? 3 million 5 million 7 million 9 million 11 million Question No. 3: Which of the following statements are false?

A. Deaf persons do not want to speak or cannot speak. B.

Every Deaf person knows ASL. C. ASL is English translated into signs.

D. ASL is universal. E.

ASL interpreters merely translate words. F. ASL is inferior to spoken language.

G. Lip reading is a reliable or effective form of communication. H.

ASL interpreters are unnecessary if a Deaf individual may write back and forth. Question No. 4: What federal and state laws require ASL services? Are you aware of the requirement of a written ASL policy and, if so, what a compliant policy looks like?

If these questions are difficult, please review our PowerPoint: American Sign Language (ASL) & Fair Housing Requirements and the Sample ASL Nondiscrimination Policies (in Word format) available out our Services & Resources page. ________________________________ Answers: Question No. 1: 3. 6% Question No. 2: 11 million Question No. 3: All of the statements are false.

Question No. 4: What federal and state laws require ASL services? Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly known as the Affordable Care Act or “ACA”); Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988; and many state civil rights statutes . Address: 5555 Conner St.

, Suite 2244 Detroit, MI 48213-3487 info@fairhousingdetroit. org Address: 5555 Conner St. , Suite 2244, Detroit, MI 48213-3487 info@fairhousingdetroit.

org info@fairhousingdetroit. org