Press Releases

Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan Bestows Honors

Detroit, MI (December 16, 2024)- Habitat Detroit is the winner of two 2024 Sales & Design Achievement Awards from the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan (HBA). The winners were recognized at a ceremony on December 11.

Habitat Detroit won in the following categories:
GOLD- Remodeled Kitchen Project of the Year
PLATINUM- Whole House Remodel Project of the Year

“What an honor to be recognized for these projects,” noted Habitat Detroit CEO Stephanie Osterland. “Each year, our staff and dozens of volunteers come together to work on transforming dilapidated homes or vacant properties into places where families can thrive. We’re thankful for the HBA’s recognition of this work.”

Meridian, a leading managed care organization in the state of Michigan and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), has invested an additional $20,000 in Habitat for Humanity projects in Detroit to improve housing affordability, safety and quality for low to moderate income families seeking a decent place to live and wanting to build long-term financial security. The investment is part of Meridian’s ongoing commitment to address the root causes of health disparities to create healthier, more vibrant communities across Michigan.

Meridian’s donation to Habitat Detroit will help the nonprofit builder of affordable homes offset the rising costs of building and construction materials and associated operational costs. In 2023, the two organizations formed a partnership, and Meridian donated $52,000 last year to Habitat with a commitment of staff volunteers who have worked on homes primarily on Detroit’s eastside. More staff volunteer events are planned for next year.

Housing stability continues to be a major issue across Michigan, including in Detroit, the largest city in Michigan, with an estimated population of 633,218. An estimated 39,000 Detroit households — around 13% of the city’s residents — spent more than half their income on rent and mortgages in 2022, well above the 30% considered affordable, which means families may have trouble paying other bills, whether that’s food or medical care, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Studies have also shown poor housing options may contribute to health issues due to lack of access to a reliable source of medical care, overcrowding and safety risks, such as mold, water leaks, and inadequate heating or cooling systems.

In addition, Habitat Detroit also offers a critical repair program for eligible homeowners such as installing a new roof, gutters, siding, HVAC systems, and accessibility modifications such as ramps. Under a separate program, Habitat Detroit, in partnership with Henry Ford Health System, provides a program called “Return Home Safe,” which conducts in-home fall risk assessments for those 55 and older. Participants must be referred to the program by Henry Ford. However, repairs such as installing grab bars and fixing uneven flooring are done at no cost for those who are eligible.

“We’re honored to continue our partnership with Habitat because we know a home is more than just a roof over your head – there’s a strong correlation between mental and physical health and having a stable place to live. Meridian is committed to ensuring Michigan residents have access to safe and affordable housing, which is one of the best ways we can address health issues that affect many in our state,” said Tara O’Neil, Senior Vice President, Operations, at Meridian, who serves on Habitat Detroit’s board of directors.

“We are grateful for partners like Meridian who allow us to make meaningful changes in Detroit,” noted Stephanie Osterland, Habitat Detroit’s CEO. “We see daily the positive effects having a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home has on a person’s wellbeing.”

About Meridian
Meridian in Michigan provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs primarily through Medicaid (Meridian), Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Wellcare), Medicare-Medicaid Plans (Health Insurance Marketplace (Ambetter from Meridian). Meridian is a Centene Corporation company, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information about Meridian, please visit mimeridian.com.

Habitat for Humanity is hosting its first-ever Women’s Empowerment Week from Nov. 12-16. The weeklong event features three days of building and volunteering events for women as well as female-focused brand representation, and opportunities for networking among people with similar passions for giving back and bettering Detroit.

Women’s Empowerment Week with Habitat Detroit is presented by Carhartt with additional generous sponsorship from Brasscraft. Further event support is being provided by Walker Miller, Detroit’s Future is Female, Red Ants Pants, and Rebel Nell.

All three days of the event take place on Maryland St. in Detroit’s Morningside neighborhood. This block of homes has undergone a major transformation over the past few years, thanks largely to multiple home restorations and new homes being built through Habitat Detroit’s Homeownership Program.

On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday of next week volunteers will gather at Habitat Detroit’s latest home renovation project to prepare the home for its new first-time homeowner. The week will wrap up on Saturday with additional volunteer support from teens with the Rhonda Walker Foundation.

“We are thrilled to be able to celebrate the strength, resilience, and creativity of women through this new project,” said Mary Ellen Kearney, Director of Philanthropy at Habitat Detroit. “Our goal is to inspire more women to join us on build sites, support those who aspire to pursue careers in the trades, and ensure that current and future homeowners feel supported throughout all stages of their homeownership journey. At Habitat Detroit we want to build a future where women thrive, homes flourish, and dreams become reality. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing the incredible outcome this year’s project will bring.”

Funds Support Non-Profit’s “Return Home Safe” Program

Habitat for Humanity Detroit is re-launching the Return Home Safe (RHS) program thanks to a grant from the National Council on Aging (NCOA). This program aims to reduce the risk for at-home falls for eligible low-income older adults. RHS operates as a partnership between Habitat for Humanity Detroit and Henry Ford Health.

Eligible participants in Return Home Safe are 55 or older, own their own home, and are considered at-risk for falls by Henry Ford Health’s Mobile Integrated Health team. Home improvements made under RHS include installing grab bars and handrails, leveling uneven floors or stairs, clearing out walkways, improving lighting options, supplying and installing raised toilet seats, and additional situational safety improvements to homes.

In total, 111 households participated in the initial round of Return Home Safe improvements and resulted in reduced numbers of emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to a fall. Additionally, 95% of participants reported that the program had reduced their fear of falling at home.

The re-launch of RHS comes thanks to a grant from the National Council on Aging, which works to improve the lives of older adults. According to the NCOA, 60% of falls happen in the home and more than one quarter of adults over the age of 65 have reported falling at least once in the last year. Habitat Detroit’s Return Home Safe program targets key areas of improvement in the household outlined by the NCOA as most likely to pose a fall-risk.