Community Resource

Detroit Assistance Programs: Housing, Food, Tax Help And City Services

Detroit assistance guide for housing, food, property tax help, renter problems, water bills, utilities, homelessness resources and reporting city problems.

Last checked July 20, 2026. This Detroit help hub points residents to official starting points for property tax help, renter problems, housing assistance, food benefits, water bills, utility assistance, homelessness resources, and reporting neighborhood problems to the City of Detroit.

Program rules, funding, deadlines, and eligibility can change. Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm details with the city, state, county, or nonprofit program before relying on a deadline or benefit amount.

Start Here If You Need Help Today

Immediate danger: call or text 911.
Food, housing, utility, financial assistance, and referrals: call 211 or use United Way for Southeastern Michigan 2-1-1.
Detroit renter, eviction, legal referral, relocation, or shelter questions: call the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine at 866-313-2520 or review the City of Detroit Renters page.
Experiencing homelessness in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park: contact CAM Detroit, the Coordinated Assessment Model.
Neighborhood issues like potholes, running water, damaged street signs, and blight complaints: use Improve Detroit or the City of Detroit Report Problem page.

Detroit Property Tax Help

Detroit homeowners who cannot pay property taxes should check the City of Detroit Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE). The city says 2026 HOPE applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on November 6, 2026, and that the application must be submitted with all required documents.

For a resident-friendly checklist, see Just Say OK’s Wayne County Property Tax Help For Detroit Residents. For source trails and additional property-tax research links, also see BadPD’s Property Tax Help Desk.

Renter Help And Landlord Problems

If a Detroit renter has eviction concerns, tenant-rights questions, legal-service referral needs, relocation needs, shelter needs, or rental property condition complaints, the City of Detroit points renters to the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine at 866-313-2520.

For a focused guide, use Detroit Renter Help And How To Report City Problems.

Food, Housing, Water And Utility Assistance

Michigan residents can apply for SNAP/Food Assistance through MDHHS Food Assistance and MI Bridges. Wayne Metro lists programs for water assistance, energy bill assistance, housing stability, homeless services, food support, property tax assistance, and related support programs.

For a focused guide, use Detroit Food, Housing, Water And Utility Help.

How To Report Problems To The City Of Detroit

Neighborhood problem: use Improve Detroit for running water, potholes, damaged street signs, and other quality-of-life issues.
Rental property condition complaint: use the City of Detroit renters page and BSEED complaint path.
BSEED/property maintenance questions: the City lists BSEED at 313-224-2733 and Property Maintenance at 313-628-2451.
Non-emergency police report: use the Detroit Police report-crime/non-emergency route when the issue is not an active emergency.

Documents To Gather Before You Call

Photo ID and proof of Detroit address.
Lease, mortgage, tax bill, water bill, utility bill, eviction notice, foreclosure notice, or shutoff notice.
Proof of income or benefit enrollment, such as pay stubs, Social Security, unemployment, FAP/SNAP, MEAP, or other benefit records.
Photos, service request numbers, dates, landlord communications, court dates, or city notices.

Just Say OK will keep building this page as a practical Detroit resource desk for residents who need tax help, renter help, food assistance, housing routes, city complaint paths, and public accountability follow-up.