One City’s Attempt to Bring Racial Equity to Home Repairs
As the nation continues to confront the affordable housing crisis, there are big questions around how to address housing challenges equitably and sustainably. In Detroit, one such approach is interest-free home repair loans.
Established in 2015, Detroit’s 0% Interest Home Repair Loan Program offers 10-year, interest-free loans from $5,000 to $25,000 to help homeowners make repairs such as replacing windows, removing lead and fixing structural issues. The idea is to help residents—particularly residents of color—not only stay in their homes but also maintain safe homes.
Indeed, while the program requires that applicants live in their homes for at least six