The Office of Global Michigan is offering payment of $500 per month for eligible residents who are willing to take migrants into their homes. They can do so for up to one year and receive the monthly payment. Eligibility is based on the immigration status of those being taken in, and the income status of those who would like to participate in the Newcomer Rental Subsidy program.

The Newcomer Rental Subsidy program: A response to the influx of migrants

According to the Michigan.gov website, the eligibility of beneficiaries includes both legal and illegal immigrants. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

This subsidy is being offered as the sanctuary state is struggling to house the inflow of mass migrants entering their cities. The program offers eligibility to residents who have an income at or below 60% of the Area Median Income.

Since Joe Biden took office in 2021, it has been estimated that more than seven million illegal immigrants have entered the United States. These record-breaking undocumented migrant numbers have been increasing exponentially, month over month.

The program has been created in response to the lack of resources required to house so many new people entering the country. Several sanctuary cities have declared emergencies due to the staggering increase in local populations. Undocumented migrants have been entering the country at record-breaking rates.

According to Amy Hovey, Executive Director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, she feels this is a program full of benefits for the community:

“This program is truly a win-win, as it addresses the most pressing barrier to refugee resettlement by meeting housing needs while setting up families for success with increased employment and opportunity.”

Source: sooleader.com – https://www.sooleader.com/local-news/new-state-program-will-temporarily-support-refugees-immigrants-6888241

According to the outline of this program, it is designed for lower-income areas, that are already struggling financially. Many feel this program is a bit out of touch with the reality of housing unknown people. It could put a further burden on communities and households that are already struggling to make ends meet, and introduce new social issues due to potential cultural clashes.

The criticisms of the Newcomer Rental Subsidy program

The program does provide a financial incentive to people who in theory, need the money. But inviting strangers into your home can create a myriad of problems. Critics feel, the program is a bit “pie in the sky” and does not account for the reality of what it could create. It does not account for the potential risks of either party.

What if the hosts treat the guests poorly? What if the guests cannot find gainful employment within a year? Does this now mean you cannot evict these guests once the program has ended? Could this become a renter versus tenant’s rights legal dispute in the future? 

In many people’s eyes, this will be seen as a further drain on tax dollars where the burden is put on the current residents of the United States. With our own expanding homeless crisis and the increasing number of drugs addicts roaming the streets, should we really be putting our resources towards new populations coming into the country? What about the current residents that are already struggling with mental health, addiction, and being unhoused?

Unfortunately, this seems like a poorly thought out short term solution, with the potential for disastrous long term consequences. Another testament to the shortcomings of our current administration.