LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – With more and more undocumented immigrants coming into the country through our open borders, Democratic governors are looking for places to put them. In NYC, Mayor Eric Adams is running out of space in his homeless shelters, hotels and vacant buildings. Other states are also having problems finding housing for the many foreigners entering our country – including the 3.8 million people who have come across the open border since President Biden entered the White House. With September setting a record with 218,763 immigrants encountered entering illegally by Border Patrol agents, housing, not border control, is on the minds of many Democrat politicians.

Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer thinks she has an answer to the housing problem – Michigan taxpayer-funded rental subsidies. On Monday, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO)’s Office of Global Michigan (OGM) launched the Newcomer Rental Subsidy program that will provide temporary support for refugees, asylees and other “newcomer” populations coming to the state.

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The Office of Global Michigan, a little known office in the state government system, says that their Refugee Services program and its staff support the effective resettlement and integration of refugees in Michigan, ensuring their basic needs are met upon arrival so that they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential. The office also includes an Equity & Inclusion Team that “takes charge of statewide strategies in language access, equitable service provision, and workforce development partnerships.”

The Newcomer Rental Subsidy Program is being launched with the support of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Housing and Community Development Fund and Office of Global Michigan’s investment of federal Office of Refugee Resettlement funding.

Susan Corbin, LEO director, and MSHDA Board chair says about the program, “We are thrilled to couple funding from MSHDA together with our Office of Global Michigan’s efforts to support one common goal – making Michigan a place where all people, businesses and communities  have the economic means and personal freedoms to reach their full potential.”

The LEO press release on the program says, “Affordable housing is a critical need for newly arriving refugees and for local community partners and sponsors who provide resettlement support. The subsidy program will give refugees, asylees and other newcomer populations the opportunity to apply for rental subsidy assistance, to help families successfully integrate into communities, become self-sufficient and thrive.”

Poppy Hernandez, Office of Global Michigan director, says, “The Newcomer Rental Subsidy program will increase access to better and more affordable housing opportunities while supporting a more rapid social integration for refugees and other newcomer populations in Michigan. Global Michigan is committed to providing support that builds welcoming, inclusive communities for those who choose our state as their new home.”

The program provides refugees and other newcomer population-eligible households with monthly rental assistance for up to 12 months, with eligibility heavily based on immigration status and household income. The amount of financial support per eligible household will range from $300 to $500 per month depending on household size. The money is paid to the landlord, not the immigrant.

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The rules from the state say that beneficiaries must be enrolled in an OGM-funded or equivalent employment placement program, if not already employed. Households’ eligibility will be evaluated periodically to determine continuation of assistance under the program. During evaluations, the beneficiaries will also receive financial and budget education to ensure continuity of rent once the program ends.

The program will be financed in part through the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund, administered by MSHDA, with $4 million designated to the Office of Global Michigan to manage over a two-year period. The program is also supported in part by federal money awarded to the state of Michigan by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and in part by the Office of Global Michigan through allocation of federal Office of Refugee Resettlement awards.

Amy Hovey, MSHDA executive director says, ”In alignment with the Statewide Housing Plan, one of MSHDA’s key priorities is increasing access to safe and affordable housing for everyone. This program addresses the most pressing barrier to refugee resettlement, housing need, and sets up families for success with increased employment and opportunity.”

The six-page application asks for immigration documents, photo ID, income verification or verification of enrollment in an employment program and lease/rental verification. The state also asks for information of all people who will be living in the household including Alien Number, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services) Status and date of arrival to the U.S.

The application requires information about income and employment and asks if the household is receiving benefits under any of the nine federal programs listed. Enrollment in one of these benefit programs is a qualification for the program.

Eligibility status includes: Refugees, Asylees, Special Immigration Visa (SIV), Victims of Human Trafficking, Cuban and Haitian Entrants, Afghan Nationals and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees. They also list other individuals as well including individuals with a pending asylum application – and they use a general  phrase of: “and other immigrant individuals on a case-by-case scenario.”

LEO’s summary program page also says “other immigrant individuals” which basically means everyone.