HOUSING ASSISTANCE
Sustain or obtain stable housing with guidance from our housing resource specialists
CERA PROGRAM UPDATE
June 6, 2022
COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Program application period to end June 30, 2022
Michigan renters, landlords encouraged to apply as soon as possible ahead of deadline
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has announced that it will soon have enough applications through the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program to encumber all funds available. Applications for CERA through the online portal will stop being accepted as of Thursday, June 30, 2022, at 9:00pm. Michiganders with rent arrears should apply immediately for potential consideration. It is likely that more applications will be received than funds available. Applications submitted before the deadline will continue to be processed until all the available funds are utilized.
The CERA program proved to be incredibly helpful for those facing economic hardship and potential eviction due to pandemic-related causes. Since the program’s introduction in March 2021:
"MSHDA and Home To Stay have put forth tremendous effort to made sure the CERA program was accessible for thousands of Michiganders" said Kelly Rose, MSHDA's chief housing solutions officer. "Thanks to federal funding, we have been able to facilitate much-needed peace of mind to residents, helping them catch up on their rent and utility costs while also ensuring landlords can recoup owed rent. Though that funding will be fully expended later this year, MSHDA and Home To Stay remain committed to helping residents with housing needs where possible."
Once the CERA portal closes on June 30, residents who have not applied and are facing eviction should reach out to Home To Stay. Those seeking legal services can reach out to Michigan Legal Help for potentially free legal representation. MSHDA is also evaluating other eviction prevention funding options like HOME-ARP and the Housing and Community Development Fund.
Funding for the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program came from the federal coronavirus aid package passed in December 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act, which allocated $1.1 billion to the State of Michigan to be used directly on rental and utility assistance for individuals and families financially impacted by the pandemic. The response to the program has been overwhelming as many in need have sought to use CERA to secure housing stability. In fact, the program may end up with more applications than funds available, but MSHDA is focused on processing as many applications as possible received by the June 30, 2022, cutoff date.
For more information on CERA, visit the CERA website at Michigan.gov/mshda/rental/cera or contact Home To Stay by using the below contact information.
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About Home To Stay-Housing Assistance Center
205 S. Saginaw Rd., Midland, MI 48640
989-496-9550
www.myhometostay.org
Home To Stay promotes self-sufficiency to Midland County residents in need of stable housing and support services.
About MSHDA
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), established in 1966, provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, develop vibrant cities, towns and villages, and address homeless issues.
COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Program application period to end June 30, 2022
Michigan renters, landlords encouraged to apply as soon as possible ahead of deadline
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has announced that it will soon have enough applications through the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program to encumber all funds available. Applications for CERA through the online portal will stop being accepted as of Thursday, June 30, 2022, at 9:00pm. Michiganders with rent arrears should apply immediately for potential consideration. It is likely that more applications will be received than funds available. Applications submitted before the deadline will continue to be processed until all the available funds are utilized.
The CERA program proved to be incredibly helpful for those facing economic hardship and potential eviction due to pandemic-related causes. Since the program’s introduction in March 2021:
- Statewide, over 250,000 applications were received for assistance, with over 130,000 being approved.
- To-date over $750 million has been disbursed in assistance
- Over 142,000 Michiganders have been helped by this assistance, with an average of about $5,600 per household
- In Midland County, over 1200 applications have been received and over $3 million disbursed
"MSHDA and Home To Stay have put forth tremendous effort to made sure the CERA program was accessible for thousands of Michiganders" said Kelly Rose, MSHDA's chief housing solutions officer. "Thanks to federal funding, we have been able to facilitate much-needed peace of mind to residents, helping them catch up on their rent and utility costs while also ensuring landlords can recoup owed rent. Though that funding will be fully expended later this year, MSHDA and Home To Stay remain committed to helping residents with housing needs where possible."
Once the CERA portal closes on June 30, residents who have not applied and are facing eviction should reach out to Home To Stay. Those seeking legal services can reach out to Michigan Legal Help for potentially free legal representation. MSHDA is also evaluating other eviction prevention funding options like HOME-ARP and the Housing and Community Development Fund.
Funding for the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program came from the federal coronavirus aid package passed in December 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act, which allocated $1.1 billion to the State of Michigan to be used directly on rental and utility assistance for individuals and families financially impacted by the pandemic. The response to the program has been overwhelming as many in need have sought to use CERA to secure housing stability. In fact, the program may end up with more applications than funds available, but MSHDA is focused on processing as many applications as possible received by the June 30, 2022, cutoff date.
For more information on CERA, visit the CERA website at Michigan.gov/mshda/rental/cera or contact Home To Stay by using the below contact information.
###
About Home To Stay-Housing Assistance Center
205 S. Saginaw Rd., Midland, MI 48640
989-496-9550
www.myhometostay.org
Home To Stay promotes self-sufficiency to Midland County residents in need of stable housing and support services.
About MSHDA
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), established in 1966, provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, develop vibrant cities, towns and villages, and address homeless issues.
Are you in need of rent assistance? What about utilities?
If you have been affected by a COVID Hardship and you are a renter struggling to make ends meet, you may qualify for COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA). Landlords are also welcome to initiate the application process by submitting the landlord application.
To apply online today, head to the CERA Application Portal. For those who wish to apply with a paper application, these can be found on the MSHDA website. Paper application can be submitted by email or can be sent by US Mail to 205 S. Saginaw.
***We will accept hand delivered applications but ask for this to be your last resort as we continue to keep foot traffic to a bare minimum for the health and safety of staff and clients.***
If you have been affected by a COVID Hardship and you are a renter struggling to make ends meet, you may qualify for COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA). Landlords are also welcome to initiate the application process by submitting the landlord application.
To apply online today, head to the CERA Application Portal. For those who wish to apply with a paper application, these can be found on the MSHDA website. Paper application can be submitted by email or can be sent by US Mail to 205 S. Saginaw.
***We will accept hand delivered applications but ask for this to be your last resort as we continue to keep foot traffic to a bare minimum for the health and safety of staff and clients.***
services
Services offered are on a case-by-case basis.
These services are supported by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Emergency Solutions Grant, Department of Health and Human Services Rapid Re-Housing Grant, Coordinated Entry dollars, local church contributions and coordination, and community donations.
- Housing case management
- Housing plan that outlines goals and action steps
- Communication with landlords on your behalf
- Rental assistance
- Connections to housing resources
- Housing list for Midland County
- Information about other community assistance options
These services are supported by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Emergency Solutions Grant, Department of Health and Human Services Rapid Re-Housing Grant, Coordinated Entry dollars, local church contributions and coordination, and community donations.
After fleeing a severe situation at home, Kim* and her four children went to Home To Stay. Kim’s case worker connected her to a local resource for temporary shelter until they could find something more permanent. After a few months of searching, Kim’s family moved into an apartment just in time for the holidays. Furniture donations helped them get started in their new place and a local business even “adopted” them for Christmas. Kim continued to meet with her case worker on a monthly basis as she worked to achieve her housing plan goals.
*Names of the people we serve at Home To Stay were changed to protect their identity.