Public agencies, utilities and nonprofits

Who to call in Detroit

The offices and agencies that decide whether you can buy the house, keep it, fix it and keep the lights and water on.

Public authority Detroit Land Bank Authority Detroit's largest landowner. It sells vacant houses and lots to people who will fix them up, live in them or put them back to use. (313) 974-6869
County office Wayne County Treasurer Every delinquent property tax bill in Wayne County ends up here, and so does every house the county forecloses and auctions.
Public housing agency Detroit Housing Commission Detroit's public housing agency: the city's public housing communities and its Housing Choice Vouchers. (313) 877-8000
State housing finance agency Michigan State Housing Development Authority The state's housing finance agency. For a Detroit buyer, its best-known help is up to $10,000 toward the down payment. 1-855-646-7432
City utility Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Detroit's water and sewer utility. If the bill is the problem, there is more help than most people know. 313-267-8000
Electric and gas utility DTE Energy The electric company for 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and the gas company for 1.3 million across the state. (800) 477-4747
Community action agency Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency More than 60 programs for about 35,000 low and moderate income residents of Wayne County, and the fiscal anchor of Detroit's smaller CVI groups. (313) 388-9799
City department Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department Every permit, inspection and rental certificate in the City of Detroit runs through this department. (313) 628-2711
Statewide notice system MISS DIG 811 Before a shovel, an auger or an excavator goes into Michigan ground, MISS DIG 811 tells the utilities, and they come out and mark their buried lines for you. 811
State licensing bureau Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes The state office that licenses the people who build and wire and plumb Michigan homes, and the place to check a contractor before you sign.

Popular in Metro Detroit

Who to call in Detroit

Detroit's community violence intervention groups