Effort underway to reach all 60,000 homes facing foreclosure in Detroit

Last month, we told you about a surprising partnership between a small but impactful anti-foreclosure organization, United Community Housing Coalition (UCHC), and the large Detroit-based mortgage lender Quicken Loans. The two have been collaborating to prevent displacement through a program that will give tenants of 80 foreclosed homes the ability to purchase the house for between $2,500 and $5,500.

Since then, the collaboration has only expanded. UCHC and the Quicken Loans Community Investment Fund (QLCIF) will be partnering with an additional eight community development organizations on "an extensive education effort addressing the pervasive issue of tax foreclosure in Detroit."

That effort will entail knocking on the door of all 60,000 houses at risk of foreclosure to inform tenants and owners of their options and connect them to resources. Through a $500,000 donation from the QLCIF, the "Neighbor to Neighbor" program hopes to enlist more community groups and volunteers towards the effort. 

"No one organization can do this work alone," said Laura Grannemann, vice president of investments for the QLCIF, in a press release. "We need everyone working together to connect Detroit residents with the tools that will keep them in their homes and allow them to continue building equity as the city grows."

One of the tragedies of the crisis is that many foreclosures could have been prevented by tax exemptions, but owners weren't aware that they qualified. Better outreach could keep thousands of homes in the hands of their owners. 

If your organization would like to help the "Neighbor to Neighbor" effort, apply here. Applications will be accepted through Friday, November 10, 2017.