Northwest Wayne News

The Rocket Community Fund, Mayor Mike Duggan and the United Community Housing Coalition (UCHC) today announced that 104 Detroit families will become homeowners through the Make It Home program this year, bringing the program’s total to 1,500 families that have avoided tax foreclosure-related displacement since the program’s launch in 2017. 

Make It Home enables eligible Detroiters occupying tax-foreclosed houses to become homeowners rather than face eviction. The program leverages the City of Detroit’s “right of refusal,” allowing the City to purchase properties before the tax foreclosure auction for the value of the back taxes owed, or two times the state equalized value (SEV) if a Claim of Interest was filed by the previous owner. These properties are then purchased by the United Community Housing Coalition using philanthropic funding from the Rocket Community Fund.  

UCHC sells the properties to the occupants through a 0% interest land contract with a payment plan that enables each resident to make payments into an escrow account for roughly a year until they reach the purchase price for their property. This year, families paid an average of $8,400 to achieve homeownership. Upon completing their payments, they receive the deed to their property, while also gaining access to home repair grants, loans and financial counseling provided through the program. 

"Make It Home was created to transform a complex and inequitable system into an opportunity to build homeownership, wealth and stability for Detroit families." said Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of the Rocket Community Fund. "However, homeownership is a journey, not a destination. We are proud to work alongside our partners at UCHC and the City of Detroit to deepen the impact of Make It Home by expanding access to home repair grants and loans to participating families."  

"When Dan Gilbert came to me with this idea several years ago, it didn't take long for me to get on board. Most foreclosures in Detroit aren't homeowners who stopped paying their mortgage bills, they're landlords who have not made the payments, even while their renters are," said Mayor Mike Duggan. "Thanks to Laura Grannemann and the Rocket Community Fund, Ted Phillips and UCHC, and the hard work of our team here at the city, we can now say there are 1,500 families who are proud homeowners. Make It Home is strengthening neighborhoods and families and helping build generational wealth." 

Demetrius Brown is one of the residents benefitting from Make It Home this year. Brown, a 57-year-old lifelong resident of Detroit, currently resides in the Brightmoor neighborhood with his three daughters, ages 5, 9 and 11. Brown has been living in the home for 15 years and faithfully paid his rent, despite facing health issues that prevented him from continuing his work as a contractor and plumber, causing extreme financial challenges. 

"I am incredibly fortunate for the support from UCHC and their assistance in helping me secure a place in the Make It Home program," said Brown. "This opportunity is like a long-awaited sigh of relief. It means that I can maintain this home, providing my three daughters with the chance to grow up in a stable and nurturing environment. We'll continue to create cherished memories here, and I couldn't be more thankful for that." 

"As the country experiences homeownership challenges, I am proud that the Make it Home Program is one of many the City of Detroit uses to provide stable homeownership for Mr. Brown and so many other Detroit residents,” said Council President Pro Tempore James Tate Jr. “The promise of homeownership remains an important staple for Detroit residents to ensure families like Mr. Brown and his children can prosper in the City of Detroit. I remain committed to supporting the Make it Home Program and others that will aid families with a path forward toward homeownership." 

"I am proud to support Make It Home, a program dedicated to helping Detroiters achieve homeownership,” said city councilmember Fred Durhal. “It's a fundamental step in enhancing and stabilizing our neighborhoods, not only within District 7 but throughout our entire city.”