Housing Assistance Programs

The Department of Community Development strives to improve the housing stock and increase access to decent, affordable housing through assistance programs supported by the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other funding sources.

The CDBG Program provides Housing Assistance Programs to income-eligible homeowners:

1. Housing rehabilitation loans and emergency repair grants
2. Home buyer assistance programs within select Portage neighborhoods. 

If you are interested in obtaining an application to participate in CDBG-funded Housing Assistance programs, please contact the Neighborhood Program Specialist Tom McCoy at (269) 324-9280 or via email.

Community Resources 

• For housing discrimination concerns, please contact the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan.  The City of Portage has a Non-Discrimination Ordinance and can also provide assistance via the Office of City Manager at (269) 329-4400.
• For tenant-landlord disputes, please contact West Michigan Legal Aid.
• For eviction diversion, please contact the Gryphon Place 2-1-1 service.
• For prevention of utility shut-offs and other financial assistance relating to housing, please contact the Gryphon Place 2-1-1 and/or the Portage Community Center.
• For assistance in obtaining affordable housing, please contact Housing Resources, Inc., or conduct a search using the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Affordable Housing Locator.