Practical disposal · Detroit residents · ID, vehicle, weight, material, and location rules apply
Detroit Free Dumping and Bulk Disposal
The City of Detroit lists free drop-off locations for eligible Detroit residents and explains its curbside bulk-collection limits. The current page says residents should bring a driver's license, state ID, or Detroit ID; drop-off sites accept specified amounts of yard or bulk waste and tires but not household garbage, construction debris, vehicle parts, or hazardous waste. Confirm accepted materials, hours, transportation, and safe set-out rules before moving anything.
Food pantry and emergency-food search · Wayne County · location, hours, household, and supply rules vary
Wayne County Food Finder
Wayne County's Food Finder is an online search tool for food pantries, distribution centers, and emergency food programs across the County. Search by ZIP code, municipality, or address, then confirm hours, identification, transportation, household rules, accessibility, and current supply before traveling. The tool is food navigation, not hoarding-specific support.
Food assistance and pantry navigation · Southeast Michigan, including Wayne County · partner schedules vary
Gleaners Community Food Bank
Gleaners Community Food Bank is headquartered in Detroit and serves households across five Southeast Michigan counties, including Wayne County. Its partner network includes food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, and other agencies, with some direct distributions. Use the current food-finder tools and confirm location hours, identification, transportation, and available food before traveling.
Food, cash, medical, and utility-benefit navigation · Michigan · income, household, and application rules apply
Michigan Bridges and MDHHS Assistance Programs
Michigan DHHS provides information about assistance programs and directs residents to the MI Bridges application and benefits portal. Potential programs and eligibility change, so review current requirements and documents before applying. Benefits do not automatically provide hoarding treatment, cleanup, or housing placement.
Water-bill and conservation assistance · Detroit and Wayne County · program status, residency, income, and bill rules apply
Wayne Metro Water Assistance
Wayne Metro describes water-bill assistance, wraparound case management, referrals, and minor plumbing repairs through its water programs. Its current page says enrollment for some assistance is paused while applications are processed and directs Detroit residents to the DWSD Lifeline Plan. Check current enrollment, program fit, documents, and whether the address is in Detroit or another Wayne County community.
Detroit water-affordability plan · Detroit residents · household income, account, and enrollment rules apply
DWSD Lifeline Plan
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department's Lifeline Plan is a water-affordability pathway with a fixed bill based on household income and size and an indoor-use allowance. Wayne Metro's current page directs Detroit residents with past-due balances or shutoff concerns to DWSD enrollment and EasyPay information. Confirm current account status, application steps, and payment-plan terms directly.
Accessible transportation · Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park · disability eligibility, application, and reservation rules apply
DDOT Paratransit
Detroit's DDOT Paratransit service is for eligible residents whose functional limitations prevent independent use of an accessible fixed-route bus. The City lists an application and professional verification process, a service area within three-quarters of a mile of DDOT stops, and a current one-way fare. Confirm eligibility, pickup area, reservation timing, accessibility, and current fare directly; paratransit is not emergency transport.
Free eviction legal representation · Detroit 36th District Court · income, tenant, and court-date rules apply
Detroit Right to Counsel
Detroit's Office of Eviction Defense explains that qualifying low-income tenants facing eviction in the 36th District Court can ask for a free lawyer. The City says households generally qualify based on gross income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and should attend the court date listed on the notice. This is legal help for an eviction case, not a cleanup or housing-placement program.
No-cost civil legal services · Detroit and Southeast Michigan · income, issue, and intake rules apply
Legal Aid and Defender Association
Legal Aid and Defender Association describes no-cost civil legal services for people who qualify, including Detroit Right-to-Counsel representation and homelessness-prevention work. Apply through its current intake process or call during business hours. Ask whether the particular housing, benefits, disability, or landlord-tenant issue is within scope; legal aid is not emergency dispatch.
Self-help legal information and lawyer navigation · Michigan, including Detroit · case and court rules apply
Michigan Legal Help
Michigan Legal Help provides current self-help information about eviction, health-hazard or injury-to-premises cases, subsidized housing, foreclosure, lockouts, and tenant rights. It also explains Detroit's Right-to-Counsel route. Use the site's Guide to Legal Help or a listed program and confirm deadlines with a qualified legal service.
Housing and shelter search tool · Search Detroit by ZIP code · availability, accessibility, and placement rules vary
HUD Find Shelter
HUD's Find Shelter tool searches by location for shelter, housing, health-care, and clothing resources. It is a search tool rather than a guarantee of placement. Use it with Detroit Housing Services and Michigan 211, and confirm current hours, eligibility, transportation, accessibility, and capacity before relying on a result.
Aging, meals, and practical navigation · selected Wayne County communities · age, homebound, and service-area rules apply
Wayne County Senior Services
Wayne County Senior Services provides information and referrals and describes congregate, home-delivered, and liquid meal programs for eligible older adults. Current county guidance says people age 60 and older who are homebound may qualify for home-delivered meals, while Detroit and several other communities may use the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. Confirm the correct service area, current capacity, accessibility, and any suggested contribution before relying on it.
Renter and housing-stability navigation · Detroit · program and referral rules vary
Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department Renter Resources
Detroit's Housing and Revitalization Department renter resources point to eviction prevention, property-condition complaints, fair-housing information, relocation assistance, emergency shelter, and other housing pathways. Read the current program information and ask which agency handles the specific concern, especially when a disability, court date, utility shutoff, or immediate safety issue is involved.
Lead-hazard reduction · Detroit homes with young children or pregnancy · enrollment and property rules apply
Detroit LeadSafe Home Program
Detroit's LeadSafe program can provide lead inspection and, for qualifying homes, repairs that address lead-based paint hazards. The City identifies child, pregnancy, ownership or landlord, income, ZIP-code, and enrollment requirements. Confirm whether the current intake is open and whether the address qualifies; this program does not provide general decluttering or hoarding cleanup.
Practical and peer support · private-pay pathway · confirm fit, scope, and fees
The Peer Tree
The Peer Tree offers nonclinical hoarding and clutter support, including organizing help, groups, family guidance, and practical next steps. Ask about current availability, service area, scope, pacing, privacy, and fees before beginning. The Peer Tree is a separate private-pay pathway from Fight the Blight's nonprofit programming.
Digital peer support · available online · not therapy or emergency support
Unburied
Unburied, from The Peer Tree, is a judgment-free digital peer-support pathway for people affected by hoarding and clutter concerns and for supporters. It can offer ongoing connection, tools, and momentum from Detroit or anywhere else. It is not therapy, clinical care, emergency support, or a city service.