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Project Challenge �

Rehab for America addresses an important component of the nation’s housing affordability crisis by creating resources for and efficiencies in the process of rehabilitating vacant homes in America’s post-industrial cities. The project envisions a 3-pronged approach: the development of a better communication strategy and servicing by the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA); the creation of tactical approaches to aid in construction; and identification of funding models. The goal is to improve the success of homeowners and nonprofit developers purchasing and rehabilitating DLBA-held properties as part of a holistic approach to building affordable, resilient communities and providing more options for housing Detroit’s most cost-burdened households.

Rehab for America:

Housing Resilience for Detroit Communities.

Pilot Location - �Detroit, MI

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NSF Award ID: 2430862

PI: Sharon Haar, �University of Michigan

2024 Civic Innovation Challenge

Pilot Vision

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  • Prototype the team’s rehab model, the “New Starter Home,” to test creating safe, compliant homes at the lowest possible cost to homeowners.
  • Create an online platform of resources and know-how, the “New Starter Toolkit,” to aid homeowners in completing rehab work, minimizing dependencies on costly trades, and maximizing potential to create new wealth through sweat equity.
  • Engage community partners to identify new or underutilized funding models, made available by the “New Starter Home” model, to offset the cost of home rehabilitation.

Civic Partners:

  • Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA)
  • Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD)

Research Questions

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  • What are the barriers to homeowners successfully rehabbing their homes?
  • What construction methods, products, and approaches can simplify rehab construction to make it accessible to homeowners?
  • What are the limitations to current funding scenarios for individual purchasers and non-profit developers?