Category: Housing Rights Center of Michigan

House wrapped with Foreclosure tape front view
FYI, Housing, Housing Rights Center of Michigan, HUD, Money and Finances, mortgages, senior independence, seniors, taxes

Step Forward Receives Additional Funding

by Katie Burns, J.D., Attorney, Housing Counselor, and HUD Certified Reverse Mortgage Counselor The Step Forward Michigan program has helped thousands of homeowners avoid mortgage, reverse mortgage, and property tax foreclosure. It was created in 2010, after Michigan received $498 million of the Hardest Hit Loan Fund established by the US Department of Treasury. Michigan homeowners with a qualifying hardship receive a mortgage lien and forgivable … Continue reading Step Forward Receives Additional Funding

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Keychain shaped like a house.
FYI, Housing, Housing Rights Center of Michigan, Legal, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, senior independence, Uncategorized

“Get out of MY house”

by Ellen Mason, J.D., Hotline Attorney Your friend, Jane, has been living in your house with you. She hasn’t been paying rent and she didn’t sign a lease. Yesterday, you had a fight with her and now you want her out. Can you change the locks on your house or just toss her belongings out? No. Michigan law considers Jane a tenant even though she’s never … Continue reading “Get out of MY house”

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A hand putting house key into front door lock of house
FYI, Housing Rights Center of Michigan, HUD, Legal

Update on The Supreme Court’s Watershed Fair Housing Decision

by Jessica Sanchez, J.D., Housing Services Manager, Housing Rights Center of Michigan Even after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision against the Texas Department of Housing in the summer of 2015, some Texas state leaders are still opposing low income housing in their communities. Background In Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs vs. The Inclusive Communities Project, the Inclusive Communities Project, a group that advocates for … Continue reading Update on The Supreme Court’s Watershed Fair Housing Decision

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Housing Rights Center of Michigan, HUD, senior independence, seniors

Time is Running Out to Apply for Step Forward Funds

The Step Forward Michigan Program was established to help people in Michigan who are having trouble keeping up with their mortgage payments or property taxes. The Step Forward Michigan Program is ending soon! HRCMI, a program of Elder Law of Michigan, Inc., has helped Michigan homeowners apply for and receive over a million dollars in Step Forward funds. Now is the time to act before this … Continue reading Time is Running Out to Apply for Step Forward Funds

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Andrew Jameson at en.wikipedia [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Housing Rights Center of Michigan, senior independence

ELM co-sponsors Senior Independence Benefits Fair in Detroit

On September 15, 2015, hundreds of seniors attended the Senior Independence Benefits Fair held at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, MI (pictured above).  The event was co-sponsored by Elder Law of Michigan, Inc. (ELM), Detroit Area Agency on Aging, the National Council on Aging, the Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative, and the Center for Financial Health. Speakers presented on a wide range of topics including: … Continue reading ELM co-sponsors Senior Independence Benefits Fair in Detroit

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Mrs. Sylvia Scales
Client story, Housing Rights Center of Michigan

Client Letter – HRCMI Made My Dream Come True

Elder Law of Michigan recently received a letter from Mrs. Sylvia Scales, a client who received assistance with her Step Forward Application from the Housing Rights Center of Michigan (HRCMI), a program of ELM. With the funds provided by Step Forward, Mrs. Scales was able to catch up on her taxes, preventing foreclosure on her home. Mrs. Scales asked that we share what she had to say … Continue reading Client Letter – HRCMI Made My Dream Come True

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Woman smiling while holding a coffee cup
Housing Rights Center of Michigan, HUD, Money and Finances, mortgages

Reverse Mortgage Update: HUD Throws a Lifeline to Surviving Non-Borrowing Spouses

Via the National Consumer Law Center, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s newly revised policy provides spouses of reverse mortgage borrowers with the most workable option to date to prevent surviving spouses’ evictions and homes from foreclosures. HUD’s Mortgagee Letter 2015-15 affirms that reverse mortgage lenders now have the option to assign a loan to HUD if there is a surviving spouse living … Continue reading Reverse Mortgage Update: HUD Throws a Lifeline to Surviving Non-Borrowing Spouses

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Loving, handsome senior couple relaxing in the park
Housing Rights Center of Michigan, mortgages

A Step Forward Michigan Success Story: Ruby and Daniel

by Katie Burns, J.D., Attorney, Housing Counselor, and HUD Certified Reverse Mortgage Counselor To protect client confidentiality, all names have been changed in this post. Lifelong Detroit residents Ruby and Daniel, both turning 78 this summer, have been married for over 40 years. They purchased their home in 1977, after some medical issues forced Daniel to stop working for General Motors. He had a brain … Continue reading A Step Forward Michigan Success Story: Ruby and Daniel

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Jadranko Tomic-Bobas
Elder Law of Michigan, Employee of the Month, Housing Rights Center of Michigan, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors

Employee of the Month: Jadranko Tomic-Bobas

by Sandra Wisnewski, J.D., Director of the Legal Services Jadranko Tomic-Bobas (Jay) is Elder Law of Michigan’s (ELM) Legal Hotline Managing Attorney. Jay started at ELM in 2011 as a hotline attorney. In June of 2014, Jay was promoted to the Hotline Managing Attorney. Since that time, Jay has helped to create, implement, and maintain a major change to our hotline process. Under this new … Continue reading Employee of the Month: Jadranko Tomic-Bobas

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House on bird's nest
Housing Rights Center of Michigan, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Pros and Cons

by Katie Burns, J.D., Attorney, Housing Counselor, & HUD Certified Reverse Mortgage Counselor Homeowners age 62 and older qualify for a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage is a loan that converts existing home equity into tax-free cash. Unlike a regular or ‘forward’ mortgage, however, there are no monthly payments required. In fact, depending on the type of payment plan selected, a reverse mortgage may actually … Continue reading Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Pros and Cons

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