Emergency Help & Rapid Housing Resources in Michigan

1. Immediate Shelter Options

Michigan’s Continuum of Care network operates a statewide Coordinated Entry system that funnels crisis callers to the first available bed. Dial 2-1-1 anytime, walk into a listed assessment site during business hours, or arrive after 5 p.m. at emergency shelters that do on-the-spot intakes. Night-by-night “overflow” mats keep you safe overnight, while program beds pair you with a case manager who can move you toward longer-term subsidies.

If you have school-aged children, ask staff to flag you for McKinney-Vento support. District liaisons can issue hotel vouchers so families stay together and kids keep attending their original school. Once you’re stable, browse our housing search guide to locate a permanent apartment.

• Fastest option: Call 2-1-1 and request “homeless services.”
• Walk-in hubs: Most counties post daily capacity on their website or front door.
• Late arrivals: Shelters hold a few beds until 10 p.m.; bring ID if available.

2. Utility Shutoff Assistance

Michigan law requires utility companies to place temporary holds when customers obtain a “medical certification,” are over 65 during winter, on active military duty, or in an energy-related crisis verified by the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). File a SER application on the MI Bridges portal—attach your past-due notice, government ID, and DHHS case number if you already receive benefits. Same-day approvals are common for heat or electricity shutoffs scheduled within 48 hours.

Once arrears are cleared, call the utility to enroll in a Budget Plan that spreads future bills into equal monthly payments. If you rent and utilities are landlord-supplied, review our landlord utility responsibility guide to see when owners must keep service active.

• Medical holds require a doctor’s fax on company form.
• Senior Winter Protection runs Nov 1–Mar 31 with 10 % down payment.
• Active-duty customers qualify for shutoff postponement up to 90 days.

3. Domestic Violence Safe Housing

Safe Houses provide 30-day emergency shelter in undisclosed locations, while Transitional Supportive Housing offers up to 24 months of rent help plus trauma counseling. Survivors may also enroll in Michigan’s Address Confidentiality Program to shield their address on public records. Under the VAWA, judges can grant exclusive possession of a shared lease, forcing an abusive partner to leave.

Emergency cash grants—funded by the Victim of Crime Act—cover lock changes, relocation costs, and first month’s rent. Reach out to local advocates 24/7:

Advocates can also help file Personal Protection Orders, accompany you to court, and arrange transportation to distant shelters if your county’s beds are full.

4. Emergency Repair Grants

USDA Section 504 grants offer up to $10 000 for seniors in rural areas to remove immediate health or safety dangers—think collapsing roofs, unsafe wiring, or failed septic systems. Detroit’s Renew Detroit program pays for roof and window replacements in owner-occupied homes, while statewide Weatherization Deferral Repair funds tackle issues (like leaking furnaces) that block energy-efficiency upgrades.

If you rent, ask your city’s code-enforcement office about an escrow repair fund. Officials can arrange repairs, then bill your landlord directly. Learn how to document urgent hazards in our emergency repairs guide.

• Section 504 income cap: ≤ 50 % Area Median Income.
• Renew Detroit applications reopen each spring—submit online or at local libraries.
• Weatherization deferral covers roofs, electrical, and moisture issues.

5. Rapid Re-Housing Programs

Unlike Section 8 vouchers that involve multi-year waitlists, Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) connects you to a private unit within 30–45 days. ESG-funded Community Action Agencies supply security deposits, moving costs, and 3–12 months of rental assistance while you work with a housing case manager.

1. Assessment: Complete a CoC vulnerability score to verify need.
2. Financial package: Agency pays deposit plus first month; you sign a standard lease.
3. Stabilization: Case manager meets monthly until you can sustain rent alone.

Call these agencies for intake:

• Kalamazoo Community Action Partnership – 269-373-5066
• Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency – 248-209-2600
• Northwest Michigan Community Action – 231-947-3780

6. Documentation to Gather Fast

Most emergency programs demand proof of identity, income, and the crisis event. Use free phone-scanner apps like Adobe Scan or Microsoft Lens to create clear PDFs—paper photos often get rejected. Store files in an encrypted cloud folder so you can email them even if you’re couch-surfing or staying in a motel.

7. Contacting Legal Aid Quickly

Michigan’s regional legal-aid hotlines open early—some accept calls only between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Prepare a 30-second script: identify the deadline (e.g., court date tomorrow), summarize income (< 200 % FPL), and state the legal issue. If staff can’t take your case, ask for a brief services appointment to review your paperwork.

• Legal Services of Eastern Michigan – 810-234-2621
• Michigan Legal Help – 888-783-8190 (self-help hotline)
• Lakeshore Legal Aid – 888-783-8190
• Legal Aid of Western Michigan – 616-774-0672

Lawyers can request reasonable-accommodation delays for tenants with disabilities, dispute illegal utility shutoffs, and negotiate payment plans. Review additional resources on our legal-aid hub and the eviction process guide.

8. Preparing a 72-Hour Plan

Disasters rarely give notice. Pack a “Go Bag” with medications, chargers, and three days of clothes; store a “Go Folder” of vital documents in waterproof sleeves; and create “Go Contacts” in your phone—case managers, shelter hotlines, relatives. Pets need vaccination papers and portable food bowls. Click below to print a checklist you can tuck into your bag.

Frequently Asked Questions