We currently have an intern working on a detailed resource guide.  Once it is completed, it will be added here.  

This page is still under construction.

MELVINDALE THRIVE INITIATIVE

Resident Financial-Crisis Resource Research List

Social Work & Community Resource Development Intern | September 10, 2026

IMPORTANT RESEARCH RULE: This is MTI's starting research list. Before any program is placed in the current Community Resource Guide, verify the exact program name, telephone number, website/application link, service area, eligibility, required documents, current funding status, waitlists, hours, and application procedure. Do not promise that a resident will qualify or receive assistance.

1. Rent, Housing & Eviction Help

·   Wayne County Housing Assistance / Community Development - 313-224-6380. Research emergency rental assistance, homelessness prevention, eviction prevention, and agencies receiving Wayne County HUD funding.

·   Wayne County HUD Resources - Research CDBG, ESG, HOME and HOME-ARP funded providers. Identify which funded agencies actually serve Melvindale residents.

·   Wayne Metro Community Action Agency / Housing Stability - 313-388-9799. Ask about rent arrears, eviction prevention, shelter diversion, housing stability and related emergency assistance.

·   MSHDA - Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Research rental assistance, affordable housing and current waiting-list opportunities.

·   HARA - Housing Assessment and Resource Agency. Include the correct Wayne County access point for residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

·   Michigan State Emergency Relief (SER) / MI Bridges - Research current emergency housing and relocation assistance and explain how residents apply.

·   Michigan 2-1-1 - Dial 211 or 844-875-9211; text ZIP code to 898211. Search for currently funded rent, shelter, homelessness-prevention and emergency programs.

·   Salvation Army - Verify which Downriver office serves Melvindale and whether rent/housing funds are currently available.

·   St. Vincent de Paul - Verify the conference/location serving the resident's address and current emergency-assistance availability.

·   Michigan Legal Help / Eviction Resources - Include for residents who receive a demand for possession, summons, eviction case or other landlord-tenant paperwork.

·   Low-Income / Subsidized Housing - Identify affordable-housing properties and waiting lists so residents have longer-term options when current rent is not sustainable.

·   Wayne County Community Development - An earlier research number recorded by MTI was 313-224-0867. Re-verify this number before publication and confirm the correct housing/HUD contact.

2. Electric / DTE Energy Assistance

·   DTE Energy - 800-477-4747. Ask about payment agreements, hardship options, shutoff prevention, and available low-income programs.

·   DTE Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP) - Verify current eligibility, enrollment route, payment structure and arrearage-forgiveness rules.

·   DTE Shutoff Protection Plan (SPP) - Verify current enrollment requirements and how past-due balances are handled.

·   Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) - Identify current Wayne County providers and whether enrollment is open.

·   Michigan Public Service Commission - 800-292-9555. Include for utility consumer information and regulated-utility complaint/help routes.

·   THAW - The Heat and Warmth Fund - 800-866-8429. Verify current assistance programs and intake availability.

·   United Way for Southeastern Michigan - 844-211-4994. Use for assistance navigation and referrals.

·   Salvation Army Energy Assistance - 855-929-1640. Verify current funding and service area.

·   St. Vincent de Paul - 877-788-4623. Verify current emergency utility assistance and local service area.

·   Michigan 2-1-1 - Dial 211 or 844-875-9211; text ZIP code to 898211. Search for currently funded utility-assistance programs.

·   State Emergency Relief (SER) / MI Bridges - Verify heat and utility emergency eligibility and application steps.

·   Wayne Metro CONNECT Center - 313-388-9799. Check current utility-assistance enrollment and any funding pauses before referring residents.

·   Wayne County Veterans Services - 313-224-5045. Include for eligible veterans and military families experiencing an emergency.

·   Michigan Veterans Trust Fund - Research emergency financial assistance for eligible Michigan veterans and confirm how to apply.

3. Water & Sewer Bill Assistance

·   Wayne Metro CONNECT Center - 313-388-9799. Verify current water-assistance or related housing-stability programs.

·   Michigan Water Assistance Program - Earlier MTI research identified assistance of up to $3,000 per fiscal year for eligible households, potentially including arrears, shutoff prevention, restoration and affordability arrangements. Re-verify the current program name, amount, eligibility and funding status before publication.

·   Salvation Army Downriver - 1258 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte; 734-282-0930. Verify current water/rent emergency-assistance funding and eligibility.

·   The Information Center - 734-282-7171. Research current Downriver assistance, resource navigation and Angel Fund-related options.

·   Michigan 2-1-1 - Dial 211 or 844-875-9211; text ZIP code to 898211. Search by resident ZIP code for currently funded water-bill assistance.

·   Wayne County Veterans Services - 313-224-5045. Include for eligible veterans and military families.

·   Lincoln Park Water Department - 313-386-1800, extensions 1252 or 1253. Verify current payment-plan or shutoff-prevention procedures.

·   Melvindale Water & Sewer Department - 313-429-1064. Verify current payment arrangements, extensions and shutoff-prevention procedures.

·   Salvation Army Emergency Assistance - Verify current water-assistance availability and service area.

·   St. Vincent de Paul Emergency Assistance - Verify the local conference and whether water bills are eligible for current assistance.

·   State Emergency Relief / MI Bridges - Verify whether the resident's specific water/sewer emergency qualifies under current rules.

·   Direct Water-Department Payment Plans - For every Downriver community listed in the guide, record how residents request a payment arrangement or extension.

·   Documentation Check - Record whether each program requires a past-due bill, shutoff notice, proof of income, identification, lease or proof of residence.

4. Behind on a Car Payment / Possible Repossession

·   Contact the lender or loan servicer immediately - Ask before another payment is missed when possible. Do not rely on the dealership unless it is actually servicing the loan.

·   Ask about hardship options - Payment extension/deferment, due-date change, temporary forbearance, reduced payment, or repayment arrangement.

·   Get every agreement in writing - Confirm what happens to skipped payments, whether payments move to the end of the loan, and whether additional interest or fees will accrue.

·   Find the payoff amount and vehicle value - Residents should understand whether they have equity or owe more than the vehicle is worth before considering a sale or trade.

·   Do not automatically recommend voluntary surrender - The borrower may still owe a deficiency balance after the vehicle is sold and may face credit consequences.

·   Michigan Legal Help - Research Michigan repossession, debt and consumer-rights information and include the correct current resource link.

·   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) - Include guidance and complaint options for auto-loan servicing problems.

·   Michigan 2-1-1 - Search for emergency financial, transportation and related support that may help stabilize the household.

·   Wayne County Veterans Services / Michigan Veterans Trust Fund - Check emergency financial assistance for eligible veteran households.

·   High-Cost Loan Warning - Do not recommend payday loans, title loans or other very high-cost debt as a way to catch up on a car payment.

Verification Checklist for Every Program

☐  Program is currently operating.

☐  Melvindale residents are actually within the service area.

☐  Phone number works or is listed on the current official website.

☐  Website and direct application link are current.

☐  Eligibility requirements are stated accurately.

☐  Required documents are listed.

☐  Hours, appointment requirements and intake procedures are current.

☐  Any funding pause, waitlist, seasonal restriction or closed application period is clearly marked.

☐  Date and method of verification are recorded.

☐  No resident is promised approval or guaranteed assistance.