Through the Working Homes/Working Families program, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries provides homes for working families in need of decent housing. Families at risk for homelessness are addressing needs ranging from past due utility bills, substance addiction, mental health and health concerns, education and retraining needs, and eviction and employment concerns. As they work to address these needs, the task of finding safe and affordable housing, especially for those families with children, is extremely daunting. Families forced to leave shelters and transitional programs include cases where the only housing they can afford is substandard, in dangerous neighborhoods for children, or too far from places of employment to allow the family to sustain the employment that would support continued housing. Families are sometimes forced to split up, temporarily and sometimes permanently.

This project provides a home for a homeless family by funding the necessary repairs, furnishings and appliances for a donated or abandoned home. These homes are rehabilitated with the help of volunteers and as part of this process, each home is equipped with the necessary furnishings and appliances. The funds from this project will provide household items, repair and janitorial supplies, carpeting, minor repairs, utilities, and licenses or permits. Furnishings will also be provided, such as beds or cribs and mattresses, dressers, dining room and kitchen tables and chairs or sofas, utensils, major kitchen appliances, etc. By providing free homes to working families who agree to pay utilities and taxes and to contribute to their child(ren)’s future education, cities and neighborhoods are strengthened, families and their children are provided decent and safe housing, and children from economically poor families are given motivation and means to work towards a higher education and a brighter future.

This project targets families with children in the Detroit metro community who are homeless or facing homelessness and in dire need of decent housing. The Homeless Action Network of Detroit estimates that in 2010 there were 20,284 homeless individuals in Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck, approximately 3,876 of which were children.

Community member details not available yet.

Direct Impact of Your Project

This project will serve one family (estimated 6 people). Larger families are targeted during the selection process.

Extended Impact on Your Partner Community

This project will indirectly benefit another 30 people. This number includes the families’ new neighbors who are enriched by the families’ presence and the occupancy of a vacant home on the block. Members of the extended family also benefit indirectly, as they often have been engaged as hosts for their struggling family members.