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Habitat for Humanity Detroitis proud to announce the renewal of our partnership with Flagstar Bank. Flagstar Bank recently invested in the Habitat mission by providing funding for theHabitat Homebuyer Readiness and Financial Education programming. This programming includes direct service to our clients and members of the community through one-on-one counseling and our Habitat 101 educational classes. A wide range of topics associated with homeownership and financial literacy are covered with clients and class attendees. Through this program, we aim to serve not only those who are currently part of the Habitat Detroit programs but also the Detroit and Wayne County community at large.

Habitat Detroit’s programming provides an opportunity for low-and moderate-income individuals and families to receive financial education and support to achieve their financial goals. Habitat Detroit supports a population that is often overlooked and underserved, where many individuals do not properly utilize many banking and financial products available to them. With support from lenders like Flagstar Bank we can work to bridge the gap for those that are unbanked, underbanked, or have sub-prime credit and work to link them to the financial mainstream, which provides better quality financial products.

Our existing program was enhanced with the introduction of the Habitat 101 classes in 2020 as a response to the number of applications that we received that were ineligible for homeownership due to poor credit or other financial issues. Through this program, participants are given tools to increase their financial literacy and to improve their overall financial situation while also learning to navigate the intricacies of homeownership.

The overall goal of the Homebuyer Readiness and Financial Education programming is to help Detroit area families achieve their dreams of becoming first-time homebuyers while setting them up for long-term financial success. We are thankful for the generous support of our partners at Flagstar Bank who are investing not only in our programming but also in the future of Detroit.

On a beautiful, sunny day Habitat for Humanity Detroit, in partnership with the Rocket Community Fund, came together to revitalize Morningside’s Grassroots Garden. More than 35 volunteers from the Rocket family of companies gave of their time and energy to assist Habitat’s staff and core volunteers with projects to enhance the existing garden space. Motown hits filled the air as volunteers and staff worked side by side on multiple projects including building benches, pulling up weeds, and laying down mulch, mulch and more mulch. One of the most impressive projects can now be seen in the southeast corner of the garden –a newly build water catch system. This structure will allow for easy rain collection that can later be utilized to water the garden plants on hot summer days.

Raised garden beds were given new life with a variety of plants and a chalkboard was installed with the hopes of inspiring residents to learn more about gardening while takingan active role in keeping up the garden. While there was plenty of hard work there were also plenty of smiles and laughter. Volunteers enjoyed a delicious boxed lunch courtesyof Motor City Casino and Habitat staff spent the day ensuring everyone stayed well-hydrated.

Through working on the Grassroots Garden project Habitat Detroit hopes to impact the Morningside neighborhood in impactful ways beyond homeownership. Habitat Detroit also enjoyed spreading the message of our mission to those who volunteered as well as to community members who stopped by to learnmore about our work.

Many thanks for their generous support are owed to the Rocket Community Fund and Motor City Casino as well as the outstanding members of the Morningside Association. Without support from sponsors and an investment from the local community Habitat Detroit’s work cannot move forward. While the volunteers planted vegetables and built useful structures, the goal was to have planted seeds of hope and help build the future of Detroit.

For more information on Habitat Detroit’s programming or ways to get involved please visit us at www.habitatdetroit.org