Flint Housing Commission Receives $2 Million Federal Grant for Public Housing Upgrades

Funding will help bring long-vacant units back into service as demand continues to outpace availability.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:41am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of polished metal and glass objects representing the essential components of a public housing unit, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic grey background with sharp, dramatic lighting.A conceptual still life highlighting the essential elements of public housing in need of repair and upgrade.Flint Today

The Flint Housing Commission has been awarded a nearly $2 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Capital Improvement. The commission plans to use the funding to upgrade boilers, elevators, windows, and units across its 1,115 conventional public housing units at 68 sites in the city. The grant will help address major repair needs and bring vacant units back online as demand for public housing in Flint remains high, with around 900 people currently on the waitlist.

Why it matters

The Flint Housing Commission has been dealing with a significant backlog of repair needs and vacant units, hampering its ability to meet the high demand for public housing in the city. This federal grant will provide much-needed resources to improve living conditions and increase the availability of affordable housing options for Flint residents.

The details

The Flint Housing Commission plans to use the $2 million grant to upgrade boilers, elevators, install new windows, and update units across its 68 public housing sites. Some units have been vacant for years due to their poor condition, and the commission hopes to bring these back into service. However, the commission estimates it needs around $71 million to bring all of its current units up to today's standards, far exceeding the grant amount.

  • The Flint Housing Commission was awarded the $2 million federal grant in April 2026.

The players

Flint Housing Commission

The public housing authority that owns and manages 1,115 conventional public housing units across 68 sites in Flint, Michigan.

David Northern Sr.

The Executive Director of the Flint Housing Commission.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The federal agency that provided the $2 million grant to the Flint Housing Commission through its Office of Capital Improvement.

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What they’re saying

“Some of the units that we had was vacant for a number of years and so those that money would help put those units back in the inventory so families can live in them.”

— David Northern Sr., Executive Director, Flint Housing Commission

“We have a lot of distressed properties.”

— David Northern Sr., Executive Director, Flint Housing Commission

“Meaning that we have too many clients on there that we can't serve already so it's no leave no reason to keep it open.”

— David Northern Sr., Executive Director, Flint Housing Commission

“Those units sent sitting vacant we don't receive any funding for those units as vacant if we would have had those units feel our federal funding will increase.”

— David Northern Sr., Executive Director, Flint Housing Commission

“Our physical needs assessment that we did said we need close to 71 million dollars to bring all our current units up to today's standard.”

— David Northern Sr., Executive Director, Flint Housing Commission

What’s next

The Flint Housing Commission plans to use the $2 million grant to immediately begin upgrading boilers, elevators, windows, and units across its public housing properties. The commission is also actively seeking additional funding sources to address its estimated $71 million in overall repair needs.

The takeaway

This federal grant represents a critical investment in Flint's public housing infrastructure, helping to bring long-vacant units back online and improve living conditions for residents. However, the commission's significant repair backlog underscores the ongoing challenges in meeting the high demand for affordable housing options in the city.