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Michigan Housing Opportunities Promoting Energy Efficiency program (MIHOPE) is a program that aims to provide energy efficient appliances to help reduce energy bills. The Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR) partnered with Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to serve the Houghton, Baraga, Keweenaw, and Iron counties.
Many struggle with paying their bills as a result of different factors, and MSHDA approaches the struggles to pay energy bills with this program.
“It’s impacted some folks that were hit hard by the COVID, and the increase in inflation and [price of supplies], and the inability to maintain their homes since 2020” – Assistant Regional Planner for Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region (WUPPDR), Lisa McKenzie
The goal of the MIHOPE program that MSHDA offers is energy efficiency.
“MSHDA put this program forward to help homeowners save money on their energy costs going forward, so one of the requirements is that it’s an energy efficiency related repair and improvement” – Assistant Regional Planner for Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region (WUPPDR), Lisa McKenzie
“The program funds have to be expended by 2026. Currently, MSHDA is, as I said, in phase 2 of the program. We’re still working through phase 1. We will receive additional funds in phase 3, which we’re expecting to be announced this summer. The application portal is currently open. They’re not processing any more applications until July but they will be processed if the application reaches MSHDA” – Assistant Regional Planner for Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region (WUPPDR), Lisa McKenzie
Find more information on the MSHDA website. You can also call the WUPPDR office in Hancock at (906) 482-7205.
