Local agencies receive MI-HOPE grants

Habitat for Humanity, BHK Community Action Agency receive funds for energy efficiency

HOUGHTON -- Two local agencies are among those receiving state energy-efficiency grants to help with home upgrades.

The Copper Country Habitat for Humanity and Baraga-Houghton-Keweenaw Community Action Agency both received grants last week as part of the Michigan Housing Opportunities Promoting Energy Efficiency program (MI-HOPE).

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) created the program through American Rescue Plan funding, helps homeowners with home repairs and upgrades. Those can include roof and window replacement, HVAC modifications, electrical and appliance upgrades and storm door installations.

Governments and non-profits in Michigan received more than $5.5 million in the most recent round of funding. Copper Country Habitat for Humanity received $500,000 through the grant; B-H-K Community Action Agency got $250,000.

Someone does not have to have worked with Habitat for Humanity before to be eligible, said Eric Coon, president of the Copper Country Habitat for Humanity board. It's open to homeowners in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties with incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level.

An individual homeowner can receive up to $25,000.

When Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region reached out about applying, it sounded like a good fit, Coon said.

"We've grown quite a bit over the last few years," he said. "I feel like this gives us an ability to help a bit more of the community out. We wanted to make sure this furthers our mission of rehabilitation and critical repairs."

The upper limit of 300% of the poverty level is a positive development, Coon said. For most grants before, it was capped at 150%.

"This one's bringing it up enough to factor in the fact that inflation's happening and people can't afford to do everything as easily," he said. "It's way more open for a lot of people."

People can apply online for the grants at arp.michigan.gov/p/ARP/Home. Once people apply, MSHDA assigns the applications to a local organization that received the grant money, Coon said.

Coon is also excited about $10 million included for state Habitat for Humanity programs included in the budget signed last week by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Applications are still open for nonprofit agencies and local governments for additional MI-HOPE funding.

For more information, go to Michigan.gov/MI-HOPE.