Livingston County assistance programs.

Mortgage and foreclosure assistance

The federal government has provided funds to assist lower income families living in Livingston County with making their mortgage payments, and to help keep homeowners get out of and prevent the foreclosure process. These funds will provide struggling homeowners with another option when trying to stay prevent a foreclosure and stay in their homes.

The Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) has received federal government FEMA funds to help these low-income families who are having short term problems paying their mortgage. The aid is not meant to be a long term solution. But there are programs to help people get back on their feet for long term support.

The Deputy Director of the Livingston County Services has said that they are targeting residents that are one or two months behind in their mortgage payments, and the cash grants will be used to pay for up to one month of principal on their mortgage and interest only. The goal is to help local Livingston County residents before they get into foreclosure. If any family or individual is interested in applying for the assistance funds, their request for aid will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. However, the mortgage assistance typically only applies to low income residents that are typically under 200% of federal poverty guidelines. To put this in context, for a family of four that typically equates to total household income under $43,000 per year to be qualified for the program.

If you are interested in more information or applying for the help, contact OLHSA at 2300 E. Grand River in Howell Michigan. Or click here for information on Michigan foreclosure prevention programs.

 

 

 

Livingston County Michigan financial assistance

Love in the Name of Christ of the Greater Livingston Area is a local charity that provides basic needs and temporary financial assistance (rent, energy bills, etc.) on a case by case basis to those in need of assistance in the community. The center also runs a 6 week one-on-one mentoring money management class. Classes were created to focus on creating a budget, balancing your check book, getting out of credit card or medical debts, learning to live within your means, paying and saving on taxes and insurance. Call (517) 552-3620

Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) is the community action agency for the community. Programs run at the site for low income are.

• Rent help - This service may provides homeless persons and people facing an eviction with emergency shelter assistance, case management, including rental assistance, security deposits, and intensive support services.
• Dental assistance - Up to $200 can be applied for and the money is used to assist the uninsured with emergency dental needs and expenses.
• Foreclosure and credit counseling - Work one-on-one with a professional for free foreclosure and credit counseling services.
• Car repairs - If you need your vehicle for work or transportation to doctor appointments, up to $1,000 as funds are available to pay for repairs. Read more on free car repairs.
• Food pantry - One food center is on site and it provides emergency food supply for residents in crisis situation.
• Government food - WIC, Food stamps, and food for seniors can all be applied for at this location.
• Heating and energy bills - If your fuel tank is near empty, or you have a disconnect notice, the community action agency may be able to assist low income individuals and families with the emergency payment of their electric, gas or heating fuel bills. Read about LIHEAP crisis assistance.
• Project Warmth and Weatherization - This service may provides energy efficiency as well as conservation inspections to homes, mobile homes and apartments and is able to make the necessary repairs and/or replacements to increase energy efficiency of qualified applicant. Areas of conservation can deal with inspection/repair/replacement including attic wall insulation, health and safety inspections of furnace and hot water heater, major sealing around windows and doors, and roof and foundation.

The Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) can be called at (248) 209-2600

 

 

Livingston Salvation Army - Services administered include temporary financial assistance for rent and mortgage payments. Clothing and household vouchers are distributed. Prescription and medical bills can be addressed by getting financial assistance for prescription expenses and small medical and dental bills. Low income and people with no insurance can both be helped. If you are facing a shut off of your power, grants and money can be used to help you catch up on utility bills. A Christmas program provides food and gifts around the holidays. Howell Michigan (517) 546-4750.

Counselors help with foreclosures and debts

Brighton Michigan has a Greenpath Debt Solutions office. Counselors from this foreclosure and credit counseling agency offers services like free or low cost housing delinquency/foreclosure counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, pre-purchase home buyer education and counseling, post-purchase counseling, rental counseling, homeless counseling. All types of housing and foreclosure prevention counseling offered  include the development of a budget and action plan to follow through on it, debt reduction programs, and referral to appropriate resources. Discriminatory housing practices and rights/responsibilities are covered in many sessions. As noted earlier, all housing counseling is free and it is also confidential. Call (810) 227-0200.

Health centers and community clinics

Faith Medical Clinic - This is one of the main free primary health and dental care clinics. The center can provides preventative medicine, internal medicine, diabetes, treatment of laceration, women's health, high blood pressure monitoring, check ups, and sore throats and fevers. Pinckney. Call (734) 474-4627

Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital (Brighton Michigan (810) 844-7950) is another local free community clinic.

Food assistance programs from free food banks

Many of the non-profits above, such as the Salvation Army, Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) and Love in Name of Christ provide free food. Some other locations that focus on distributing food include Heather Oaks (Brighton Michigan (517) 546-0344), Saint Vincent DePaul ((810) 229-6722),  and Hidden Springs Church ((517) 546-3577)