Is financial assistance available for improving my home?

Housing Rehabilitation Program

Weatherization Program

There are guidelines a homeowner must meet to qualify for the above programs. Call 313.943.2180 for more information.

Is financial assistance available for first-time home buyers?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides funding to the State of Michigan and Wayne County for various home buyer assistance programs. The State and the County typically implement their programs through non-profit public service providers.

One such service provider is Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency (WMCAA). WMCAA provides a variety of services to residents of the Out-County area. Call 313.843.2550 for more information.

If I want to open a new business, occupy a existing space or develop a property, what steps, forms applications, permits, variances are necessary?

The City of Dearborn welcomes any commercial projects that are designed to enhance and improve the competitive nature of our commercial centers. We encourage any entrepreneur who is anticipating opening a business in Dearborn to contact ECD department before you do. Our staff can assist in simplifying the permitting process and putting you in touch with various other city departments that may need to review your project or commercial occupation prior to your business opening. We are here to assist you and have established programs to speed up the approval process. Call 313-943-2899 for assistance

Do you have a program that will help make my home warmer?

The Weatherization Program provides grant assistance to low-income residents, both homeowners and renters, for insulation and other energy efficiency improvements. For more information, call 313.943.2180 ext 2.

You may also be eligible for assistance through "The Heat and Warmth" fund (THAW). THAW provides energy assistance to low-income clients and to utility customers who are unable to pay due to an emergency. Contact THAW at 1.800.866.THAW (8429).

The work done on my home by a particular contractor is breaking down. Is there anyone who can help?

If the work was performed under one of ECD's assistance programs, the contractor was required to provide you with a warranty for their work. (It may help to have the warranty in-hand before placing a call to the contractor.)

1. Call the contractor as soon as possible after discovery of the problem. Take note of the date of contact, problem described, and resolution requested. (Consider taking photographs as documentation.) Also be sure to document the date and method of problem resolution by the contractor (if any).

2. After contacting the contractor, if you are unable to satisfactorily resolve the warranty complaint, you may contact your ECD Representative for assistance (313.943.2180). Remember, the City of Dearborn and its programs do not warrant or guarantee the work of contractors. ECD's role is that of mediator, without partiality to the homeowner or the contractor.

3. Complaints that remain unresolved may be filed with the State of Michigan's Department of Labor & Economic Growth, Bureau of Commercial Services, Enforcement Division, P.O. Box 30018, Lansing, MI 48909. Telephone: (517) 241-9202. (Complaints must be received by the Department of Labor & Economic Growth within 18-months of project completion.) Contact the Dearborn Building & Safety Department or your ECD Representative for required forms.

I need a wheelchair ramp. Is financial assistance available?

There are some organizations, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association, that may provide ramps at no cost.

Dearborn homeowners may also be eligible for limited assistance through our Home Rehabilitation Program. For more information, call 313.943.2180 ext.2.

Is assistance available for resident health, safety, emergency food and shelter, emergency utility payments or other social support?

City of Dearborn Outreach Counselor, Hegira Programs, Inc. For information or assistance call 734.721.2007 (non-urgent) or 313.813.2962 (24-hour pager).

Arab Community Center for Economic & Social Services (ACCESS). For information or assistance call 313.842.7010.

Is there any commercial or industrial property available for sale or lease?

The Economic & Community Development Department compiles and updates a property available listing (PAL list). For more information, call 313.943.2180 ext.3.

Is financial assistance available for small businesses?

Assistance may be available through the Wayne County Business Development Team, 313.224.0749 or the U.S. Small Business Administration, 313.226.6075.

I received a parking ticket in a downtown public parking lot. Who can I call to suggest changes in the way the system is managed?

Police Department Ordinance Enforcement, 313.943.2294

Economic and Community Development, 313.943.2180, ext. 3

Neither the Police Department nor ECD can "forgive" your parking ticket. To contest a parking violation, follow the instructions printed on the ticket.

How do I volunteer to serve on one of ECD's boards or commissions?

Most of the City's Boards and Commissions are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council.

If you would like to serve, contact the liaison department or the Mayor's Office for a "Biography Data Sheet" form. Completed biography sh Economic and Community Development, 313.943.2180, ext. eets are kept on file and presented to the Mayor's Office for consideration as board vacancies occur.