Detroit Housing HelpLine fields 150,000 calls in first year; expanding to connect Detroiters to additional supportive services

2024
  • The Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine  provides a singular access point for residents needing housing assistance and connection to over 30 supportive programs and services. 
  • HelpLine to add Benefits-Period Homeowner Program (BPHP) to provide special benefits to eligible 2009 Detroit homeowners and adding direct assistance program for residents living in Detroit Land Bank (DLBA) owned homes. 
  • The Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine is available M-F, 8 am-6 pm, and Sat from 9 am-12 pm at 866-313-2520. 

 

The City of Detroit's Housing Resource HelpLine, launched as part of Mayor Duggan's $203M Affordable Housing Plan to provide a single point of access for multiple housing-related needs, has received more than 155,000 calls in just over a year, with thousands of Detroiters being connected to crucial resources. The Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine connects residents to affordable housing units, eviction prevention counseling, legal services, and direct relocation assistance for renters, while providing homeowners and buyers with resources such as the Down Payment Assistance program, home repair programs, and property tax assistance.  

Digging into the numbers 

Since the HelpLine’s inception:  

  • More than 155,000 thousand calls have been received. 
  • HelpLine hours expanded from 9am to 5pm to 8am to 6pm, adding Saturday hours from 9am to 12pm. 
  • Added 22 additional staff, resulting in the decrease of wait times to seven minutes for emergency shelter services and two minutes for all other programs. 
  • 12 new programs and services added.  
  • Over 56,000 direct referrals made by the HelpLine to its network of partner programs.  

“The Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine was launched to bridge the significant gap between Detroit residents and the housing resources that they need the most. We are extremely excited to see that we are having a very real impact on the lives of our most vulnerable Detroiters, and to add even more resources to the HelpLine network” said David Bowser, Deputy Director of Detroit’s Housing & Revitalization Department. “Our commitment to expanding services is transforming lives and strengthening Detroit’s neighborhoods.”  

Providing Benefits to 2009 Detroit Homeowners 

In 2023, Detroit City Council unanimously passed a resolution to address issues raised about the accuracy of property tax assessments from 2009 – 2016. In response, the City of Detroit’s Housing & Revitalization Department is launching the Benefits-Period Homeowner Program (BPHP), which will provide special benefits within city programs for residents who owned a home in 2009, and during the 2009 – 2016 period. Residents who are eligible include those who:  

  • Owned a home prior to 2009. 
  • Owned the home from 2009 until 2016, unless it was sold or lost to foreclosure during that time. 
  • Had a Principal Resident Exemption (PRE) effective during all years of ownership. 
  • Currently live in Detroit. 

Benefits for affected residents include 10 points added to any city job application score, as well as ONE of several benefit options:  

  • 50% off a Detroit Land Bank-owned Auction home, Side Lot, or BuyBack Program home; or 
  • Preferential access to Detroit at Work services; or 
  • Preferential access for Housing and Revitalization Department programs, including Down Payment Assistance, 0% Home Repair Loan & more; or 
  • A 20% increase in for Motor City Match recipients; or  
  • Preferential access to the Grow Detroit’s Young Talent program for 14–24-year-old children and grandchildren of affected homeowners; or 
  • Preferential access to purchase or lease any tax-abated development. 

Selecting Option 5 when calling the HelpLine now routes callers directly to the program’s intake team, where callers are asked to provide their 2009 address for eligibility determination and direct assistance. 

Partnering with the Detroit Land Bank Authority 

The city is now expanding its occupied DLBA community engagement with District-by-District community meetings, door-to-door outreach, and a new addition to the Housing Resource HelpLine offering immediate assistance. Starting today, those living in DLBA-owned, foreclosed homes have direct access to:  

  • DLBA program document support.  
  • BuyBack eligibility assistance. 
  • Relocation assistance and case management.  

Selecting Option 4 when calling the HelpLine now allows residents to submit their contact information and DLBA address. The city’s Housing Services Office will then connect eligible residents to resources and direct assistance.  

“The DLBA is excited to expand its partnership with the city’s Housing Services Office to provide much needed supportive services to this population of Detroiters. Our collective goal is to assist these individuals in establishing stable and secure housing,” said Detroit Land Bank Authority CEO Tammy Daniels. 

Individuals who know someone who lives in a DLBA-owned home may also call to seek assistance on their behalf. 

Accessing benefits and resources 

To see if you qualify for the Benefits-Period Homeowner Program, visit detroitmi.gov/homeownerbenefits or call the HelpLine today at 866-313-2520 and choose option 5.  

If you live in a DLBA-owned home, or know someone who does, call the HelpLine today and choose option 4. 

The HelpLine is open from Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to Noon.