A home repair program, designed to help 1,000 Detroiters, has a waitlist of more than 14,000 residents.
The Detroit Home Repair Fund, a $20 million program funded by the Gilbert Family Foundation, DTE Energy and health care organization ProMedica, was created in 2022 to help Detroiters access repair resources through a network of nonprofits. Most residents on the waitlist — which is now closed — were notified in January that the program would not be able to help them this year and received information about other options.
The overwhelming response, program officials say, exceeded expectations. The response illustrates the demand for home repair assistance across Detroit, where several programs exist but have not been enough to satisfy the need for help.
Detroiter Toyia Watts received a letter in January from the Detroit Home Repair Fund letting her know that she would not be able to receive repair support from the program in 2024. She said there’s a confusing array of home repair resources, but not enough funds to address the need.