Housing information is updated frequently. Please contact each service provider directly for the most up-to-date information.

Are you currently in need of shelter or housing?

If you are struggling to remain in your home, sleeping in your car or outside, Call EightCAP, Inc.’s Housing & Homeless Assessment Line at 1-616-225-5965 (direct dial) or Toll-Free 1-866-754-9315; then press #3 to learn about available shelter and housing assistance in Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella & Montcalm Counties.

You can also apply for housing services through the website: GIMI Shelter Gratiot, Isabella, Montcalm & Ionia Counties https://havemercymi.org/ gimishelter/

*Limited resources are available to help people who are behind in their rent or doubled-up with family or friends and can no longer stay. Please note that demand for these services far exceeds the resources available.

For additional Community Resources (such as food, clothing, utility assistance, etc.) please visit www.8cap.org and click on the Community Resource Directory for your county.

EMERGENCY SHELTER INFORMATION
Type of Shelter: M=Men W=Women C=Children F=Families DV=Domestic Violence VA=Veteran

Have Mercy (New Leaf & Genesis II) Greenville (616) 225-8055 M/W/C/F/VA

RAVE (Relief After Violent Encounter) Ionia (800) 720-7233 DV

For further shelter information
DIAL 2-1-1 (or 1-844-275-9211)
TEXT your zip code to 898211
Online www.mi211.org

Looking for a rental property? Here are some helpful local links to get started.

https://thedailynews.cc/ (The Daily News)

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace

https://www.sentinel-standard.com/ (Ionia Sentinel Standard)

http://www.ioniacountyshoppersguide.com/home.html (Ionia County Shoppers Guide)

https://www.showmetherent.com/

https://www.zillow.com/

https://www.realtor.com/

https://www.affordablehousing.com/

https://www.michiganhousinglocator.com

https://www.housing.state.us

Connecting You to Vital Resources

Michigan 211 is a free, 24/7 service that connects residents to a wide range of health, human, and community services. Whether you’re in need of healthcare, housing assistance, food, or mental health resources, Michigan 211’s trained specialists can help guide you to the right support. Simply dial 2-1-1 or visit their website to access critical resources in your area.

Key Services Provided by Michigan 211:

• Housing and Utility Assistance

• Meal and Food Support

• Transportation Services

• Healthcare Services, Including Mental Health and Addiction Resources

• Clothing, Household, and Personal Necessities

• Legal, Consumer, and Public Safety Support

• Income Assistance

• COVID-19 Resources

For immediate assistance, dial 2-1-1 or visit mi211.org to get connected to the resources you need.

Montcalm County Cities and Zip Codes

Not sure of your county? Live on a county line? Visit www.usps.com to check your address

• Click the link above to be taken directly to the page,

• Or visit USPS.com,

• Click on QUICK TOOLS

• Then click LOOK UP ZIP CODE

• Then click FIND BY ADDRESS and enter your information.

Montcalm County

Carson City 48811*
Cedar Lake 48812
Coral 49322
Crystal 48818
Edmore 48829
Fenwick 48834
Gowen 49326*
Greenville 48838*
Howard City 49329*
Lakeview 48850
McBride 48852
Pierson 49339
Sheridan 48884
Sidney 48885
Six Lakes 48886
Stanton 48888
Trufant 49347*
Vestaburg 48891*

*Addresses for this city may be in more than one county

Housing Vouchers/Rental Assistance Information

Project Based Voucher (PBV)/Public Housing/Section 811
(local Housing Commission/Authority) Overseen and funded federally through HUD, administered locally by Public Housing Authorities/Agencies (PHA’s), this program provides affordable apartments & houses for low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
♦ Household income must fall within allowable limits set forth by HUD. (https://www.michigan.gov/ mshda/rental/property-managers/compliance/income_rent_and_utility_limits)
♦ Most assisted individuals/families will pay no more than 30% of their income towards rent.
♦ PHA’s can choose to require residents to pay a minimum rent of $50 even if it is more than 30%of their income, and tenants can opt to pay a flat rent based on local Fair Market Rent (FMR) regardless of their income.
♦ The rental voucher or reduced rental rate is only valid at that particular housing unit.
♦ To apply, contact your area PHA (see directory for contact information of local PHA’s).

PBV waiting lists MAY remain open and county residency is not a requirement. You cannot apply online to a project-based voucher waiting list, only a Lead Agency assigned to the property can determine your initial eligibility for placement.

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)/Section 8 Program (MSHDA)
Administered state-wide through MSHDA and locally by PHA’s. MSHDA receives federal funds from HUD to administer the voucher program. The number of vouchers vary per county and per agency. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.
♦ Household income must fall within allowable limits set forth by HUD.
♦ A Household who is issued a voucher is responsible for finding suitable housing, where the owner agrees to rent under the program.
♦ Units do not have to be located in subsidized housing projects.
♦ The housing unit chose must meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection and rental limits set forth by HUD.
♦ Monthly rent is based upon income, 30%, with minimum rent being $50.
♦ Can only apply to open waiting lists and must be able to prove residency at the time of pull.

MAINSTREAM VOUCHER PROGRAM (local Housing Commission/Authority)
Overseen and funded federally through HUD, administered locally by Public Housing Authorities/Agencies (PHA’s), Public housing agencies (PHAs) can apply for Mainstream Vouchers when HUD issues a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). These are tenant-based vouchers must assist non-elderly persons with disabilities. Mainstream vouchers can be either tenant-based or project-based rental assistance.

To apply for the HCV wait list in your county, go to www.michigan.gov/mshda and click on then click Check to see if your county is listed as open. If so, you can apply. Follow the instructions to do so. If it is not open, you will have to check back periodically and apply when it does open up. If you have already applied to a MSHDA waiting list and have a change of address, phone number, income, or family size, you must log in to Applicant Portal to update your information. If you are “literally homeless” (see HUD definition on page 3 of this directory) please contact the Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA) in your area. Only a State approved homeless agency can qualify an applicant for homeless preference (EightCAP is the HARA for Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, & Montcalm Counties)

If you are currently on the Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV) and have questions, contact your Housing Agent. A current listing of Housing Agents by county is at the following link: https://www.michigan.gov/mshda/rental/housing-choice-voucher/hcvhousing-agencies. The Housing Agent for Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, & Montcalm Counties is: Community Management Associates (CMA) 1-877-796-8883 staff@cma-inc.org

Privately Owned Subsidized Housing (Apartment Complexes)
It is overseen and funded federally through HUD and helps apartment owners offer reduced rent to low-income households.
♦ Apply directly to the apartment complex.
♦ Household income must fall within allowable limits set forth by HUD.
♦ The assisted individual/family will pay 30% of their income towards rent, with a minimum rent determined by the apartment complex.
♦ See the listings in this directory (income-based, tax credit/LIHTC, subsidized) for more information.

HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
Combines HCV rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at VA Medical Centers and community-based outreach clinics.
♦ Families select and rent units that meet program housing-quality standards. The PHA contracts with the owner to make payments directly to them on behalf of the individual/family.
♦ The assisted individual/family will pay no more than 40% of their income towards rent. You can not apply for this program on-line; you must contact your local VA or call the Section 8 office at 517-373-9344 for more information.
♦ The VASH program operates similarly to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program but is only available to homeless Veterans. Household income must fall within allowable limits set forth by HUD.
♦ This waiting list is open indefinitely.

Helpful Housing Resources

Area Agency on Aging

(616) 456-5664 https://www.aaawm.org/

• Area Agencies on Aging are a nationwide network of nonprofit agencies created by Congress to be one-stop shops with information about programs, services and housing options.

EightCAP, Inc. Housing Hotline

(866) 754-9315 ext. 3

• EightCAP provides both housing and homeless assistance to those in need along with a variety referral and resource opportunities. For more information, please call 616-225-5965. Our Housing & Homeless Sector provide financial assistance to eligible households.

Habitat for Humanity

(616) 754-5772 https://www.habitat.org/mi/greenville/montcalm-county-hfh

• Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states and in more than 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward this vision by building and improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live.

Have Mercy

(616) 225-8055 https://havemercymi.org/

• Our Mission - To reflect the compassion of Christ to homeless families in Montcalm and Ionia counties. Our Vision - All homeless families in Montcalm and Ionia counties have access to temporary shelter, food, and the assistance needed to rebuild their lives. Our Purpose - To keep these families together and off the street while helping them solve the issues that led them to homelessness.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Supports

(616) 225-6126 https://www.maisd.com/student-programs-and-supports/homeless-supports/

• The Office for Homeless Support at Montcalm Area ISD serves students through their school districts in Montcalm, Ionia, Gratiot, and Isabella Counties. Through this consortium, students facing issues of homelessness can be supported to continue their education.

Mi Department of Health & Human Services-MDHHS

(989) 831-8400 https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs

• The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is a principal department of state of Michigan, headquartered in Lansing that provides public assistance, child and family welfare services, and oversees health policy and management.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority-MSHDA.

(517) 241-0809 https://www.michigan.gov/mshda

• The Michigan State Housing Development Authority is a quasi-public agency of the U.S. state of Michigan under the umbrella of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Montcalm County Housing Commission

(231) 937-4241 https://www.montcohsgcomm.org/

• The Montcalm County Housing Commission is a Public Housing Agency. PHA receives its operating subsidy for the Public Housing Program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD. MCHC is not a federal department or agency. A Public Housing Agency, PHA, is a governmental or public body, created and authorized by state law to develop and operate Housing and Housing Programs for Low-Income Families.

MSU-Extension

(989) 875-7500 https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/

• Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities and businesses.

Relief After Violent Encounter (RAVE)

616) 527-3351 http://www.raveim.org/

• RAVE-I/M, Inc.'s mission is to eliminate the crimes of domestic and sexual violence through programs that support appropriate change. We are committed to confronting the existing imbalance of power within violent relationships and to support and advocate for the adult and child victim's of domestic and sexual violence. It is always our goal to develop programs of empowerment that respect victims’ rights to self-determination.

Tri-County HomeWorks People Fund

(800) 421-8956 https://www.homeworks.org/210-2/community-home/people-fund/

• We created the Tri-County People Fund in 1993 as a way to give back to the communities we serve. The charitable fund is made possible by members who voluntarily allow us to “round up” their monthly energy bills to the next dollar.

USDA Rural Development

(800) 944-8119 https://www.rd.usda.gov/mi

• USDA Rural Development supports rural prosperity in Michigan by investing in modern infrastructure such as high-speed internet and water and waste treatment systems. We help eligible rural Michiganders buy or rent affordable housing, and we can partner with you to build or improve essential community facilities such as hospitals, libraries, and schools. We boost rural economic development by funding technical assistance for small business owners and entrepreneurs, helping them design robust business plans, find new markets, and promote their goods and services. We also help eligible businesses and manufacturers expand or improve, and we support energy programs that finance renewable systems for agriculture and industry.