Renew Detroit FAQs

GENERAL FAQ'S

Now that my repair is complete, what's next?

A: First, congratulations on completing your repair! To keep your home in great condition, here are a few important steps you should take moving forward:

• Stay on top of regular maintenance. This includes cleaning gutters, checking for leaks, trimming trees or bushes near the home, and servicing your heating and cooling systems seasonally.
• Monitor for wear and tear. Catching small issues early, like cracked caulk or a slow leak can help prevent bigger, more expensive problems down the line.
• Maintain active homeowners' insurance. Make sure your coverage is current and sufficient to protect your investment. Homeowners insurance is a key part of long-term home preservation.
• Keep your repair documents organized. Hold on to warranties, inspection reports, and photos of completed work. These can be helpful for future repairs, insurance claims, or even resale.
• Know when to call a professional. While some maintenance can be done on your own, don’t hesitate to contact a licensed contractor for complex or potentially hazardous issues.
• Reach out to your Program Specialist if a concern is related to our repair. If you experience an issue that may be tied to the work completed through our program, contact your assigned Program Specialist for guidance on how to proceed.

Caring for your home doesn't stop after the repair—it’s a continuous process. A little routine maintenance goes a long way in helping your home stay safe, functional, and comfortable for years to come.

What does Phase 2 include?

A primary focus on roof replacement and a secondary focus on windows.  For homes that require both a roof replacement and window replacements, the roof replacement is likely to be prioritized. Participant homes are limited to one essential home repair as designated by Renew Detroit and cannot receive both a roof replacement and window replacements.

If approved for the window repair, will you replace all the windows of my home?

For each home, we will allocate funding for window replacement up to a predetermined amount, depending on available resources. We do not complete window replacements for historical homes. Specifics regarding window repairs will be reviewed with residents directly as each home and scope is different. Window obstructions such as bars, awning, cooling units, etc. will need to be removed prior to construction. Your assigned program specialist will review these details in advance of construction. 

What is conditional selection?

Conditional selection means that a home has been found eligible and has scored high enough to participate in the Renew Detroit program and may move forward if all applicable program and home condition requirements are met. Properties may fall out of the program for non-compliance with program requirements such as failure to complete documents, not maintaining home’s structural/foundational soundness, posing a safety or other hazard, failure to occupy, etc.

Is there a limit on the size of the property that will qualify for this program?

There is no square footage minimum or maximum for participants in Renew Detroit. We will complete repairs on detached single-family homes or duplexes (2-family flats) only. Repairs are warrantied and require the full roof structure to be completed based on contractor review.

Is there a budgeted limit per house for the home repairs? 

Renew Detroit participants who are selected for a roof will receive a full roof replacement. Those selected for windows will have a set number of windows replaced depending on condition and funding availability.

How is Renew Detroit prioritizing who gets a repair?

Renew Detroit utilizes a Home Repair Score to prioritize eligible applicants by their home score for conditional selection into the program.

Conditionally selected participants become participants in the Renew Detroit program, they will be assigned to a construction season. Although we will do our best to prioritize homes with more urgent conditions, Renew Detroit is not an emergency program, so we are not always able to take the condition of the roof in consideration when selecting the next participant.

Will there be a lien put on the home after repairs?

No, Renew Detroit is not placing a lien on your property.

Did Renew Detroit’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 have more than one application period?

No. Each phase for Renew Detroit has one application period. Application periods run for the month of October in 2021 and 2022, respectively. There are no additional phases or application periods.

Was income used as an eligibility factor for Renew Detroit?

Yes. Renew Detroit used the HOPE Property Tax exemption as a requirement, which is an income-based program. The 2022 HOPE Income Guidelines are listed below.