MSHDA “MICH” New Construction Program

About the Program

The City of Jackson, in partnership with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), will construct FOUR (4) homes as part of the MSHDA "MICH" grant program. Applications will be considered from households with at least one disabled family member, and the completed homes will be provided to income-qualified households free-of-charge. Households will be selected based on their completed application and overall program qualification, a points-based scoring system, and a lottery (if needed). All homes must be occupied as a primary residence. The MSHDA Investing in Community Housing (MICH) Program provides funding for new visitable homes in pre-selected neighborhoods within the City of Jackson. The program is designed to provide long-term housing security and housing supports to provide impacted and disproportionately impacted communities with services to address the negative economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Qualifying households must meet certain income & asset requirements, must qualify for at least one federal benefit program, and must have experienced a hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic (see application for details). The MICH homes are currently under construction, with an expected completion date of January, 2026.

About the Homes

The MICH homes will meet VISITABILITY standards, including zero-step entrances, 32" door openings (minimum), wall reinforcement in bathroom walls and shower (with grab bars), accessible placement of electrical and heating controls, levered door handled, low-barrier shower, lower closet rods, toggle light switches, increased turning radii in full bathroom and kitchen, and first-floor laundry facilities. All homes will be a one-story design (ranch) on a concrete slab, featuring 3 bedrooms and 1 1/2 bathrooms. A full kitchen appliance package will be included (refrigerator, stove, microwave, and dishwasher). All homes will include a detached shed in the backyard for additional storage. 

Homes will be constructed at the following locations: 464 Cooper Street, 651 Cooper Street, 337 W. Mason Street, and 332 W. Wilkins Street. Norfolk Homes will serve as the builder for this project. All homes will feature a maintenance-free exterior, fully seeded lawn, and concrete driveway. A 12-month builder warranty will also be provided. No changes/alterations will be made to these homes during construction. All selected owners/buyers WILL be responsible for all closing costs (closing/title fees, transfer tax, etc). While these four (4) homes are being given away free of charge, selected owners/buyers will be responsible for insurance, utilities, maintenance costs, and property taxes. Please use our Monthly Expenses Breakdown to help estimate your monthly housing costs.

How to Apply

Interested households can download/print the necessary materials from the MICH New Construction Program website, or the materials can be obtained from the City of Jackson, 3rd Floor (Community Development Department). All completed applications and required documents must be submitted via in-person delivery or mailed to:

City of Jackson Community Development Department

R/E: MICH Grant Application

Attn: Christopher Herrmann

161 W. Michigan Avenue Jackson, MI 49201

All participants in the MICH Program must financially qualify. Households earning less than the amounts shown in income table are eligible to apply.

Number of Persons in Household

City of Jackson staff will utilize a scoring rubric to determine lottery eligibility. Submitted applications must include:

1. MICH Grant application form (completed, signed, & submitted with all requested supporting documents)
2. Homebuyer Certification form (completed & signed)

*Click on the form(s) above for a downloadable pdf

City of Jackson staff will provide one reminder regarding any necessary missing/additional documents needed to complete your application review. Applicants failing to submit all necessary documents after this reminder will not be considered. Please note, TWO families have already been selected to receive a MICH home, and TWO additional families will be selected during this extended application round.

Applications and all required documentation must be submitted by Tuesday, November 18th (5 pm). Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted. City staff will review all applications, and selected households will be notified no later than December 5, 2025.