Detroit Home Accessibility Program to provide crucial modifications for Detroiters living with disabilities

• Low-income seniors with disabilities, homeowners with disabilities prioritized for home accessibility upgrades, including ramps, wider doorways to accommodate mobility equipment.
• Program prompted by Councilmember Mary Waters and funded by $6.6M from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
• Application process now open through CHN Housing Partners and Detroit Housing Network.

The City of Detroit, in partnership with CHN Housing Partners (CHN) and Detroit Housing Network (DHN) Members today announced the opening of the application process for the Detroit Home Accessibility Program, which will make safety and access improvements at the homes of Detroit residents with disabilities and low-income senior s. This groundbreaking initiative, funded with $6.6 million from City of Detroit ARPA Funds, aims to improve the living conditions of residents who struggle with basic access to and inside their own homes.

Mayor Duggan, along with councilmembers and program sponsors Mary Waters & Fred Durhal III, met with Latasha Washington at her home on Leewin in the Berg-Lahser neighborhood. Washington, a native Detroiter who has used a wheelchair since 2005, will be receiving several upgrades to her home, including access improvements and safety lighting for the rear entrance.

Mayor Duggan said the Home Accessibility Program is another way President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act is improving the lives of Detroiters.

“The ARPA funds Detroit received are allowing us to impact the lives of many of our most vulnerable residents in ways we never would have been able to otherwise,” said Mayor Duggan. “Thanks to Councilwoman Waters’ advocacy on this issue, homeowners like Mrs. Washington will be able to enjoy a far better quality of life.”

It is estimated the Detroit Home Accessibility Program will provide upgrades to a minimum 250 homes, depending on individual needs. In coordination with Councilmember at-large Mary Waters, a portion of the total funding will be set aside for seniors with disabilities.

“I always say that housing, like water and energy, is a human right,” said Councilmember Waters. “Far too often, we forget about those who face challenges with the activities of daily living, and our seniors. Everyone deserves to be able to use their home to the fullest and to age in place, and this program allows exactly that.”

Additional funding has been set aside for those who are blind or living with low vision, as well as those with cognitive and learning disabilities.

“Every Detroiter deserves to live in a home that meets their needs and ensures their safety, regardless of their physical abilities,” said Councilmember Durhal. “The Detroit Home Accessibility Program is a commitment to equity and dignity for our disabled community members. By investing in accessibility, we can help residents like Latasha Washington continue living in their homes with the independence and security they deserve.”

Types of Improvements offered

• Access & Egress Repairs: Installation of ramps, lifts, and grab bars.
• Safety Enhancements: Improvements to doors, thresholds, and lighting.
• Specialized Modifications: Adjustments for mobility devices, vision impairments, and more.

"This program is designed to ensure our community members have a safe and accessible place to call home," said Kevin Nowak, president and CEO of CHN Housing Partners. "Thank you to Mayor Duggan, the City of Detroit, Councilmember Waters, Councilmember Durhal, our friends at Detroit Disability Power and Detroit Housing Network Members for making this program possible. It is an honor to partner with you all."

Eligibility Requirements

• Diagnosis of a disability: There must be a full-time disabled resident living in the household. For this program, disabled is defined as an individual receiving social security disability benefits, veterans disability benefits or MDHHS child health care services.
• Income: Household income must be below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). That means an individual earning up to $45,000 or a two-person household earning up to $61,000 would be eligible.
• Property Insurance: A valid homeowner’s insurance policy (minimum $35,000) is required.
• Property Taxes: Must be current or on a stipulated payment agreement.
• Property Condition: Properties must meet minimum habitability standards.

Applications now open

Interested residents can apply by visiting the website (chnhousingpartners.org/Detroit/DHAP/ ), calling the Detroit Housing Resource Hotline at 866-313-2520, or walking into a Detroit Housing Network location.  Applicants must submit an eligibility form to qualify.

CHN, who also serves as the network administrator of DHN, is teaming up with DHN Members to provide application support to residents who need it. Participating DHN Members (Bridging Communities, Inc., Central Detroit Christian, Matrix Human Services, MiWealth, U-SNAP-BAC and Wayne Metropolitan C.A.A.) will work with eligible applicants to guide them through the eligibility and the application process, and CHN will manage the construction.

The Detroit Home Accessibility Program was carefully crafted with Detroit Disability Power. The organization is working to end the disparities people with disabilities face regarding housing, employment, education, transportation and healthcare.

“Detroit has more than 129,000 disabled residents. Members of this large, diverse and important constituency deserve the ability to fully engage in all that our City has to offer,” said Ani Grigorian, Disability Access Consulting Manager at Detroit Disability Power. “This program is an important step towards greater accessibility, and therefore increased well-being.”

About CHN Housing Partners

CHN Housing Partners was founded in 1981 and began working in Detroit in 2017. It is a large-scale affordable housing developer, residential lender and housing service provider that works with its partners to solve major housing challenges for low-income people and underserved communities. CHN also partners with people—low-income individuals, families, seniors, the disabled and those experiencing homelessness — to improve their housing stability and economic mobility. CHN’s impact in Cleveland includes 3,200 new homeowners, the housing stability services it provides annually to 60,000 individuals, and the development of 7,100 new homes. In Michigan, CHN continues to focus on the power of a permanent address by working with public and private partners to increase Detroit’s stock of affordable housing through development, preservation and property management. CHN also leverages its expertise in nonprofit coalition building by acting as the Network Manager for the Detroit Housing Network – an alliance of housing nonprofits that have come together to provide clear and equitable access to housing services in Detroit. Learn more at chnhousingpartners.org