Albion Life Today

A new roof. A safer front step. A warmer home in the winter. For Albion residents, these aren’t just simple home repairs — they’re steps in the right direction toward revitalizing the neighborhoods that make up our community. With nearly $2 million in grant funding flowing into our city, the Albion Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) has been working with local contractors to restore not just buildings, but safety and comfort for families across Albion.

This effort has been made possible through a series of grants provided by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), aimed at supporting home repairs and accessibility improvements for qualifying residents. In total, nearly $2 million in funding has been administered locally across three unique programs, titled MI-HOPE, MI-Neighborhood, and CHILL. Importantly, all three programs prioritize households earning at or below 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) in Calhoun County and were designed to help residents still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MI-HOPE

Launched in 2023, the MI-HOPE program — short for Michigan Housing Opportunities Promoting Energy-Efficiency — was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered by MSHDA. It brought nearly $1 million to Albion for practical, energy-efficient upgrades that help income-eligible homeowners lower energy costs and stay warm year-round.

One resident had been getting by with just a cooler after her refrigerator stopped working — a tough way to store food, especially for more than a few days. With support from MI-HOPE, she was able to replace the appliance and get back to something as simple — and essential — as a working fridge. Other households received new HVAC systems, insulation, doors, and windows — upgrades that mean safer, warmer winters and more affordable bills.

Thanks to MI-HOPE, over 40 households in Albion received essential repairs that not only improved comfort but also made a long-term difference in monthly utility bills.

MI-Neighborhood

Kicking off in late 2024, the MI-Neighborhood program followed closely behind its predecessor, MI-HOPE. While more limited in scope, it shared a similar mission: to help residents lower energy costs, improve accessibility, and enhance overall living conditions across Albion.

Through MSHDA’s Statewide Housing Plan, MI-Neighborhood awarded $472,000 to the AEDC to rehabilitate 40 homes in the City of Albion — funding HVAC upgrades, window and door replacements, weatherization, and other essential improvements.

CHILL

The final program in our trio, the CHILL Grant — short for CDBG Housing Improving Local Livability — was made possible through a joint effort between AEDC and the City of Albion. CHILL rolled out in mid-2025, bringing in an additional $400,000 to support home rehabilitation efforts. Though the program’s title implies a focus on air conditioning or maybe weatherization, the program is primarily focused on helping income-eligible homeowners to bring homes up to code, improve accessibility, and ensure their residences are safe and livable.

Several homeowners had been dealing with water seeping into their basements due to missing gutters and worn-out roofs — issues that had gone unfixed for years, slowly damaging the very foundation of their homes. CHILL is now helping to make those critical repairs. For senior residents, CHILL has already helped make everyday life easier and safer — from walk-in showers to wheelchair-accessible ramps.

The Albion EDC estimates that 10 – 15 households will benefit from this funding, with projects addressing critical needs like structural repairs, accessibility features, and health or safety hazards. As with the other programs, much of the work has been completed by local contractors, ensuring that grant dollars stay in Albion — supporting small businesses and strengthening our local economy.

Our Impact So Far…

Throughout these programs, we’ve seen real stories of resilience — seniors who can now enter their homes safely, families finally getting relief from drafty windows and outdated HVAC systems, and parents who no longer have to scramble for buckets or mop up wet floors every time it rains. These aren’t just repairs — they are investments into the futures of Albion’s neighborhoods.

These grants awarded by the State of Michigan, along with the diligent efforts of AEDC, have helped direct almost $2 million in funding toward 80+ home repair projects, working alongside 14+ local contractors to bring meaningful improvements to residents throughout the city. By prioritizing local contractors and tradespeople, the programs have ensured that every grant dollar not only improves homes but also circulates back into Albion’s workforce and neighborhoods. These efforts are just the beginning of a broader push to strengthen Albion’s neighborhoods and ensure everyone has a safe, comfortable place to call home.

For more information on the work that goes on behind the scenes and the people who make these projects possible, check out this additional article: Meet the Team Behind Albion’s Home Improvement Success

While these grants are no longer accepting applications, more funding opportunities may become available in the future — so be sure to stay connected. To stay informed about future grant programs, community projects, and local updates, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below and to check our site weekly.