Lansing Sun

Thanks to Neighborhood Enhancement Program grants, 33 municipalities and nonprofit groups received over $1.7 million to help residents improve their homes.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) awarded the grants as part of her Statewide Housing Plan initiative, according to a press release from her office. Through the plan, the state will "create or preserve 75,000 housing units, increase homeownership and reduce homelessness, and lower utility costs for residents by upgrading energy infrastructure in homes and apartments."

Whitmer spoke about the grants in the press release.

"Every Michigander deserves a safe, affordable place to call home and a vibrant community that they can be proud of," she said. "Today's Neighborhood Enhancement Program grants will help local officials and nonprofits complete home repairs, make energy efficiency upgrades, and fund neighborhood amenity projects. Since I took office, my administration has delivered on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to working families, including building nearly 12,000 affordable, attainable housing units, funding home repairs to improve efficiency, helping with utility bills, and more. Let’s keep working together to get it done."

The $1.7 million will be divided among 11 municipalities and 22 nonprofit agencies, the press release noted.

"This funding is essential for communities across the state to deploy projects that will invoke positive change and improve the lives of residents," Tonya Joy, Neighborhood Housing Initiatives division director, said in the press release.

Each of the organizations receiving funds showed that there was a need within their communities that would be alleviated with the grant donation to "make a significant difference in the community while promoting and increasing neighborhood stability," according to the press release. 

Whitmer's Building Michigan Together plan will invest in the state's infrastructure. It will allocate $654 million to go to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority in order to back the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund and the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance program.

The Neighborhood Enhancement Program received $50 million of the earmarked funds to enhance energy efficiency and housing upgrades across Michigan, the press release noted.