In March 2012, forty-nine state attorneys general, including Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, entered into a settlement with five of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers following a lawsuit regarding mortgage foreclosure practices.
Of Michigan’s $97.2 million share, 2012 PA 296 allocates $25 million to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) for the creation of a Blight Elimination Program to demolish blighted, vacant, and abandoned properties in order to promote public safety, stabilize property values, and enhance economic development opportunities. The legislation allocates $10 million to demolition in the City of Detroit, and $15 million for demolition projects elsewhere in Michigan.
MSHDA, together with the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority (MLB), are charged with project selection and administration, and are seeking proposals for the $15 million outstate program.
The program materials and information including an application are available at the following link: http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,4562,7-124-5453_7124_31804_62593-285904–,00.html .
Interested parties are encouraged to check this link regularly, as the FAQ section will be updated as questions are received. We will also be holding a series of informational sessions throughout the state during late October and November of 2012. Information on the date/times of these sessions will be posted at this link.
Source: MSHDA
