Housing

in committee · Michigan · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 282: Labor: collective bargaining; tenants right to organize; provide for. Creates new act.

Senate Bill 282, titled the "Tenants Right to Organize Act," establishes specific rights for tenants in Michigan to form and operate tenant unions. This bill allows tenants to self-organize, meet, distribute information, and confer with their landlords through chosen representatives regarding rental conditions and changes. It also permits tenant organizers to assist in these efforts, including canvassing within rental properties under certain conditions. The bill prohibits landlords from interfering with these organizing activities or retaliating against tenants who exercise these rights, with violations potentially leading to civil fines and other legal remedies.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tenant union rights, prohibits landlord interference, and strengthens tenant protections under housing policy per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 278: Housing: other; housing and community development fund; modify. Amends secs. 58, 58b & 58c of 1966 PA 346 (MCL 125.1458 et seq.).

Senate Bill 278 amends the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966 to modify the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund. It expands the fund's focus to include middle-income households and projects located in downtown areas or adjacent neighborhoods, in addition to existing support for low-income households. The bill revises how the fund's money is allocated, adding considerations for accessible housing and the availability of other funding sources for specific groups, while removing some previous earmarks for rental and homeownership projects. It also enhances public engagement requirements for the fund's biennial allocation plan, mandating virtual participation options and targeted outreach.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands housing fund allocation to include middle-income households and downtown projects, increasing government spending on housing programs through revised fund distribution.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands housing fund to include middle-income households and downtown projects, revises allocations for accessible housing and funding availability, advancing housing development and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Housing Finance

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passed · Michigan · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 4540: Housing: other; housing and community development fund; modify. Amends sec. 58c of 1966 PA 346 (MCL 125.1458c). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4539'25

HB 4540 amends Michigan's Housing and Community Development Fund to expand eligible uses of the funds. It allows the state housing authority to provide grants, loans, or assistance for housing projects targeting low-, very low-, and middle-income households, including new construction, rehabilitation, foreclosure prevention, and predatory lending relief. The bill specifically adds support for "individual development accounts" (for savings programs) and community development projects like blight elimination. It affects housing providers, nonprofits, and residents in targeted income groups by clarifying how existing state funds can be allocated to address housing needs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands housing fund eligibility for low/middle-income housing projects, includes foreclosure prevention and predatory lending relief, and adds individual development accounts for affordable housing support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

passed · Michigan · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 4539: Housing: other; housing and community development fund; modify. Amends secs. 58 & 58b of 1966 PA 346 (MCL 125.1458 & 125.1458b). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4540'25

HB 4539 amends Michigan's housing law to clarify definitions and strengthen funding rules for affordable housing projects. It defines key terms like "extremely low-income" (≤30% of area median income) and "downtown area" (50+ years of commercial use with mixed buildings), directly affecting low- and middle-income households in these zones. The bill requires 30% of funds to support projects for extremely low-income households (including homeless and supportive housing) and mandates that 20% of units in all funded projects serve households earning ≤60% of area median income. It also requires the housing authority to create a public input process for its biennial funding plan, prioritizing areas with high poverty, disability needs, and housing distress.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 30% of funds for extremely low-income housing projects, strengthening budget allocation for affordable housing programs within fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 30% of funds for extremely low-income housing (including homeless/supportive housing) and strengthens funding rules for affordable projects, directly advancing housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Housing Finance

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 25, 2025

SB 442: Property tax: exemptions; property tax exemption for certain nonprofit housing property; modify. Amends sec. 7kk of 1893 PA 206 (MCL 211.7kk).

SB 442 creates a new state-level process for charitable nonprofit housing organizations to obtain property tax exemptions on specific residential properties (like single-family homes, duplexes, or small multi-unit buildings). Organizations must apply to the state tax commission, which has 60 days to approve or deny the exemption. If approved, the exemption lasts 3-5 years (depending on property type) or ends sooner if the property is occupied by an income-eligible person (family income ≤120% of statewide median) or transferred. The bill modifies existing rules to shift from local resolution-based exemptions to a centralized state application system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemptions for nonprofits housing income-eligible residents (≤120% median income), reducing their tax burden to support affordable housing affordability.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax exemptions for nonprofit housing, reducing costs to expand affordable housing options through state-level process for nonprofits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Jan 15, 2025

HB 4009: Housing: affordable; rent control policies; allow local governments to establish. Repeals 1988 PA 226 (MCL 123.411).

HB 4009 repeals a 1988 state law (MCL 123.411) that previously prevented local governments in Michigan from establishing rent control policies for residential properties. This bill directly affects cities and counties, giving them the authority to create their own rent control programs if they choose. The key mechanism is simply removing the existing legal barrier, allowing local governments to develop and implement rent control measures without state restrictions. The repeal takes effect 90 days after the bill becomes law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRepeals state barrier preventing local rent control, enabling tenant protections and affordable housing measures by allowing municipalities to establish rent control policies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 17, 2025

SB 19: Housing: landlord and tenants; tenants rights to repair; provide for. Amends sec. 39 of 1846 RS 66 (MCL 554.139). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0020'25, SB 0021'25

This bill amends Michigan law (MCL 554.139) to clarify and strengthen tenant rights regarding repairs when landlords fail to maintain habitable housing. It directly affects residential tenants and landlords by allowing tenants to hire contractors to fix serious maintenance issues after providing the landlord with written notice and a reasonable time to act. The key provision establishes a clear process: if a landlord doesn't address a repair within the specified timeframe, tenants may deduct the cost of the repair (up to a set limit) from their rent. This creates a standardized, non-litigation method for resolving maintenance disputes under existing tenant protection laws.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens tenant rights by enabling repair deductions when landlords fail to address habitable housing issues, directly protecting tenants and promoting safe housing conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 17, 2025

SB 20: Housing: landlord and tenants; cross-reference to the revised statutes of 1846; remove. Amends sec. 6 of 1978 PA 454 (MCL 554.636). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0019'25, SB 0021'25

SB 20 amends Michigan's Truth in Renting Act to strengthen tenant remedies when landlords include illegal terms or omit required terms in rental agreements. If a landlord violates the law (e.g., includes a banned clause or skips a required term), tenants can sue for $250 or actual damages (for minor violations) or $500 or actual damages (for missing required terms). Tenants may seek higher damages if the landlord knowingly included an illegal term, but must provide written proof of the landlord’s "actual knowledge." The bill also prevents multiple lawsuits over the same issue by requiring tenants to join cases involving identical violations. This directly affects renters facing unfair rental terms and landlords who fail to comply with rental law requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens tenant remedies against illegal rental terms, providing legal recourse for violations of Truth in Renting Act per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Aug 19, 2025

HB 4770: Housing: landlord and tenants; rental application fee requirements; provide for. Amends title & sec. 1 of 1972 PA 348 (MCL 554.601) & adds sec. 7a.

HB 4770 bans landlords from charging pre-tenancy fees (such as holding fees, pet fees, or application deposits) before a tenant signs a lease. It allows landlords to charge a maximum $50 rental application fee for background checks, requires this fee amount to be disclosed upfront, and mandates full refunds within 60 days if an application is denied. The bill directly affects landlords and prospective tenants in Michigan rental housing by restricting certain fees and adding transparency. Violations could result in civil fines up to $1,000 for repeat offenses, with courts able to order landlords to pay tenant attorney fees.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans pre-lease fees, caps application costs, mandates refunds - directly protects tenants from financial barriers to housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Michigan · House Dec 31, 2025

HB 4543: Individual income tax: home heating credit; adjustments based on Detroit Consumer Price Index; change to United States Consumer Price Index. Amends sec. 527a of 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.527a).

HB 4543 changes how Michigan's home heating credit is adjusted annually. It replaces the use of the national U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) with the Detroit Consumer Price Index to calculate annual credit adjustments. This means the credit amount for eligible households will now reflect local cost-of-living changes in Detroit instead of national averages. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate income Michigan residents who claim the home heating credit on their state tax returns.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesChanges credit adjustment to Detroit CPI (typically higher than national), increasing tax relief for low-to-moderate income Detroit residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdjusts home heating credit to Detroit CPI, better reflecting local costs for low-income households, supporting housing affordability through targeted tax relief.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Taxes