Find Help in Michigan
152 government-validated organizations serving Michigan — housing counselors, credit counselors, debtor education providers, and legal aid offices.
Why Michigan Residents Need Help
Michigan's overall distress metrics fall near or below national averages, though auto loan delinquency at 6.25% stands out. The 152 organizations below serve residents regardless of where the state ranks — individual financial hardship doesn't follow state averages.
Michigan's State Distress Index score is 71.7; high state distress, ranking #7 of 51 jurisdictions.
46 of Michigan's 59 HUD-approved housing counselors offer foreclosure and default counseling. 16 agencies serve in Spanish, with 24 non-English languages available across all agencies. 4 offer reverse mortgage counseling.
14 of the 42 DOJ-approved credit counselors serving Michigan offer in-person sessions, and 38 offer online counseling. For the post-filing debtor education course, 8 of 46 providers offer in-person classes.
1 of Michigan's 5 LSC-funded legal aid organizations are also HUD-approved, meaning it can provide both legal representation and housing counseling.
Housing Counselors (59)
HUD-approved agencies providing free foreclosure prevention counseling, mortgage assistance, and financial guidance.
Credit Counselors (42)
DOJ-approved agencies providing the required pre-filing credit counseling for bankruptcy, plus general debt management plans.
Debtor Education (46)
DOJ-approved providers for the required post-filing debtor education course in bankruptcy proceedings.
Legal Aid (5)
Federally funded legal aid organizations providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals facing foreclosure, debt, and housing issues.
Foreclosure in Michigan
Read the full Michigan foreclosure law guide — timeline, protections, redemption rights, and anti-deficiency rules.
Most-Complained-About Mortgage Servicer in Michigan
Bank Of America, National Association leads with 1,465 CFPB mortgage complaints in Michigan (out of 10,173 total across all servicers). If you're having issues with your servicer, a HUD-approved counselor can help you navigate the complaint process.
File a CFPB complaint · View full Bank Of America, National Association complaint profile
Michigan Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many verified help providers are in Michigan?
There are 152 government-validated organizations serving Michigan: 59 HUD-approved housing counselors, 42 DOJ-approved credit counselors, 46 debtor education providers, and 5 LSC-funded legal aid offices. Of the 59 counselors, 46 offer foreclosure prevention services and 16 serve in Spanish.
Are housing counselors in Michigan free?
Yes. HUD-approved housing counselors provide free, confidential assistance. They can help you understand your options if you're behind on your mortgage, facing foreclosure, or dealing with a reverse mortgage. Michigan uses non-judicial foreclosure, where the bank can foreclose in roughly 9 months. The earlier you contact a counselor, the more options you'll have. Call 1-800-569-4287 to reach one.
What is the difference between credit counseling and debtor education in Michigan?
Credit counseling is required before filing for bankruptcy — a counselor reviews your finances and discusses alternatives. Debtor education is required after filing — a course that covers budgeting, money management, and using credit wisely. Both are provided by DOJ-approved agencies. Michigan had 22,269 bankruptcy filings last year (#12 nationally per capita). 68% were Chapter 7 liquidations and 32% were Chapter 13 repayment plans.
How do I qualify for free legal aid in Michigan?
LSC-funded legal aid is available to low-income individuals, typically those earning below 125% of the federal poverty level. Each organization has its own intake process — call and ask about eligibility. Many can help with foreclosure defense, debt collection harassment, and housing disputes. Michigan has 5 LSC-funded legal aid offices — Lakeshore Legal Aid is one of the primary providers.
How current is this directory data?
Provider listings are pulled from federal government databases: HUD's Housing Counselor API, the DOJ US Trustee Program's approved agency feeds, and the Legal Services Corporation's grantee database. Data is refreshed periodically from these official sources.
What type of foreclosure does Michigan use?
Michigan uses non-judicial foreclosure. The bank can foreclose in roughly 2–9 months from first missed payment to sale, though individual cases vary. Without court oversight, the process can move faster — making early action even more critical. See our full Michigan foreclosure law guide for details on protections, redemption rights, and homestead exemptions.
What are the top mortgage complaints in Michigan?
Michigan has 10,173 CFPB mortgage complaints on record across the 30 largest servicers. The most-complained-about servicer is BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION with 1,465 complaints. If you're having issues with your servicer, a HUD-approved counselor can help you navigate the complaint process, or you can file a CFPB complaint directly. See BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION's full complaint profile.