Community Renewal Good Stories - Detroit

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Lottery-Like Program To Repair Hundreds of Homes in Detroit EZ

Detroit, Michigan, EZ

As of September 2004 more than 120 homes in the Detroit EZ have received substantial repairs inside and out, thanks to the Home Repair Program of the Detroit EZ. The program, a partnership between the Detroit EZ and 7 local housing agencies, provides up to $10,000 on a lottery-like system to each of 300 EZ homeowners to pay for a variety of home repair projects-a total of $3 million in funds.

"This partnership is a great opportunity for our residents," says Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick during a ceremony in early August 2003 that launched the program. ''Public-private partnerships enable us to do more than we can do alone to enhance the city's development and prosperity and meet the needs of Detroit citizens."

Media coverage and word of mouth brought about 10,000 submissions of interest, a one-page request for consideration form that the EZ had prepared, by the August 30 deadline. Vince Murray, executive director of Bagley Housing Association, a participating EZ partner that administers the program, said his office was flooded with calls.

EZ staff then sifted the responses down to 3,500 eligible households within the EZ, sent letters of explanation to all nonqualified responders, and screened for duplicate responses. The seven participating nonprofit housing agencies then worked with those who qualified. Applicants had to live in the EZ, own a single-family home and reside in it, and meet HUD income guidelines. The housing agencies sent out the formal application packets, then worked with homeowners to ensure that they held homeowners' insurance and that their taxes were up to date. The agencies then set up a pre-construction conference and facilitated the process.

The grants cover up to $10,000 for individual household repairs. Eligible improvements include furnace replacement or repair, water heater replacement or repair, porch repair or replacement, exterior stair replacement or repair, roof replacement, security and/or storm door installation or replacement, and wheelchair ramp installation or repair. Homeowners can also use the grant to make exterior improvements involving tree removal, sidewalk/driveway repair, garage demolition, installation of exterior security lighting, and yard fencing.

"This program reflects our ongoing commitment to help Detroit's comeback by revitalizing our communities and providing Empowerment Zone residents the resources they need to breathe new life into our neighborhoods," says EZ Executive Director Larry Givens.

For more information on the programs of the Detroit EZ, please call Executive Director Larry Givens at (313) 872-8050.