Housing & Neighborhood Services

Chris Forth
Deputy Director of Planning, Development & Neighborhood Services
Phone: 329-4474
Email: forthc@portagemi.gov


The Department of Community Development has responsibility for maintaining and improving housing and neighborhoods and ensuring the overall public safety and quality of life in the community.

The City of Portage is looking for your ideas to enhance the community or your neighborhood! The Neighborhood and Community Enhancement Program is intended to fund public space project proposals submitted by resident groups, non-profit organizations, as well as neighborhood and business associations.

To learn more and to submit an application.  Neighborhood and Community Enhancement Program Application (PDF)

Housing Assistance Programs

Tom McCoy
Neighborhood Program Specialist 

Phone: 324-9280

Email: mccoyt@portagemi.gov


Community Development strives to improve the housing stock and increase access to decent, affordable housing through assistance programs supported by the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other funding sources.

The CDBG Program provides:

  • housing rehabilitation loans and emergency repair grants to income-eligible homeowners; and
  • first-time home buyer assistance programs to income-eligible households within select Portage neighborhoods. 

If you are interested in obtaining an application to participate in CDBG-funded Housing Assistance programs, please contact the Neighborhood Program Specialist, Tom McCoy at 324-9280 or via email at mccoyt@portagemi.gov.There are several other community resources to assist residents with housing needs.  These resources are summarized below.