Since 2022, the Gilbert Family Foundation has had a home repair program for Detroit residents’ homes. Recently, thousands of residents found out that help isn’t coming anytime soon.
“Are they looking for us to die out of here before they help us?” Detroit resident Toyia Watts said. “A lot of people leave here and never get that assistance they need.”
Watts has lived in her east side Detroit home for 69 years. She applied for the home repair program a year ago.
In January, Watts got a letter informing her that she is one of 14,000 residents on the program’s waitlist.
“It just threw me for a loop. How does this program really work for us?” Watts said. “Is it going to be any longer than what the city is doing to us with that renewal grant money?”
The letter Watts received went on to say that due to overwhelming demand, she wouldn’t be receiving any home repair support from the program this year.
Watts needs electrical and plumbing work done to her home.
She says the program gave her hope that Detroit homes in lower-income neighborhoods would get much-needed work done.