As Detroit powers forward in its latest chapter of revitalization, one initiative is quietly and quickly transforming the lives of hundreds of families: the Detroit Home Repair Fund (DHRF).
Led, in part, by the Gilbert Family Foundation, the program is nearing a major milestone of 590 homes repaired since its launch in 2022.
The urgent need: Why home repair matters
In Detroit, the statistics are stark: 43% of residents report major home repair needs, and 13% live in inadequate housing. These issues go beyond aesthetics; they pose real dangers, including exposed wiring and electrical problems, failing heating systems, a lack of hot or running water and more -- all of which threatens the health and safety of Detroiters daily.
But the impact of safe, stable housing runs deeper. It helps prevent displacement, build generational wealth and strengthen neighborhoods.
“Preventing displacement is crucial for so many reasons,” said Melinda Clemons, Vice President of Enterprise Community Partners. “We want families’ homes to be an asset they can pass on to the next generation, helping them build wealth and ensuring stability.”
How the fund was born and the overwhelming response
The Detroit Home Repair Fund is more than a project -- it’s a response. After launching the Detroit Tax Relief Fund, the Gilbert Family Foundation stayed closely connected with the community and heard a clear, consistent message.
Gilbert Family Foundation’s response to the dire need was a $10 million investment, part of the foundation’s broader $500 million commitment to Detroit, focused on removing systemic barriers to opportunity.
“The need is so great, and we were absolutely not expecting the incredible avalanche of outreach that we got,” said Laura Grannemann, executive director of the Gilbert Family Foundation. “By building this program, our hope is to be able to bridge multiple resources together in a way that feels more seamless to the Detroit resident.”
Upon its creation, the DHRF initiative aimed to support more than 1,000 low-income homeowners in Detroit with essential repairs. It also integrates various other home repair resources, such as the Energy Efficiency Assistance program from DTE, another partner of the fund.
When the Detroit Home Repair Fund opened in 2022, the demand was immediate and overwhelming. More 125,000 calls flooded the home repair hotline.
“There were people that were calling multiple times. Some people had multiple phones open, because the need is so urgent,” said Darnell Adams, Director of community initiatives for the Gilbert Family Foundation. “It shows that there is a significant need for more resources in this space for home repair. Perhaps the existing resources are hard to access for many Detroiters.”
It also revealed that existing home repair resources in Detroit were fragmented, underfunded or difficult to access. The DHRF set out to change that.
A coordinated, community-driven approach
At the core of the Fund is a collaborative model. Led by Enterprise Community Partners and the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, and implemented by 13 trusted local organizations, the program offers whole-home assessments that prioritize health, safety and long-term sustainability.
Its flexible funding model combines resources to maximize impact. To date, the program has invested $10.3 million in direct home repair funding, leveraging an additional $5.3 million from more than 10 sources.
Lives changed: Stories from the ground
Behind every repair are real people whose lives have been transformed.
After her husband died in 2020, Turriner Jackson turned to friends to help with repairs, but they ultimately only provided temporary fixes to worsening problems. In 2024, she got connected to DHRF and finally found relief. She received nearly $40,000 in critical health and safety repairs, including a new roof, windows and gutters.
“When they got done with repairs, I was so pleased,” Jackson said. “I am so grateful.”
Jackson is just one of many.
Loretta Powell received help from the DHRF and was finally able to resolve basement flooding and get upgrades to make her bathroom safe again.
The Byrd family went at least three years without a front porch. After DHRF stepped in and helped with repairs, they can now enjoy a safe, welcoming entrance to their home.
Building community capacity
Beyond individual homes, the DHRF strengthens Detroit’s housing support ecosystem. With $3.5 million invested in organizational support, local nonprofits have grown stronger and more responsive.
Renaissance of Hope, one of the proud participants of the DHRF, helps support the initiative with the goal to help preserve affordable home ownership and stabilize Detroit neighborhoods.
Lance Woods, a Detroit native and the community manager at Renaissance of Hope, said the city has taught him the true meaning of community.
“Every day, we’re helping families get the repairs they need to stay safe and in the homes they love,” he said. “We’re not just fixing houses, we’re changing lives, preserving neighborhoods and helping families build generational wealth.”
Renaissance of Hope is just one fund that has scaled up to help meet the increased demand for help.
Many staff at organizations that support the DHRF are getting workforce training and accreditation themselves.
Lawanda Villard works with the Eastside Community Network (ECN), which supports the DHRF. For the past 40 years, the network has developed programs and resources that center the needs of east side residents and amplifies their voices with respect to the development of their communities. As a direct result of Villard’s work with DHRF through the ECN, she now has her builder’s license and is certified in renovation, repair and painting.
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), initially created to provide emergency energy and utility to help families facing financial difficulties, has also expanded its services to support DHRF and the needs of Detroit homeowners.
“Our track record of success in this program has opened doors for us to receive other grants for home repair,” said Rozeta Rox, program service manager at THAW. “THAW was mostly known for our utilities services, but our program has expanded into doing plumbing repair, housing repair, energy efficiency services -- we’re expanding by leaps and bounds.”
By the numbers: Progress to date
As of fall 2025, the Detroit Home Repair Fund has:
- Repaired 590 homes.
- Completed more than 6,000 individual repairs.
- Improved living conditions for more than 1,000 individuals.
- Built a three-year track record of success.
Looking forward
The DHRF already has an extensive waitlist, so it is not currently accepting new applications for repairs. But with a goal of 1,000 homes repaired, the Gilbert Family Foundation and its partners are just getting started.
As new data and impact metrics are released this fall, one thing is clear: this work is far from over -- and deeply needed.
For Turriner Jackson and hundreds like her, it’s more than repair -- it’s a renewal of pride, dignity and hope.
“It felt like a brand-new home -- like a fresh start,” she said. “I would leave the house just so I could walk back in again.”