YPSILANTI, Mich. – Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley (HHHV) celebrated 10 years of helping Washtenaw County families with home improvements with its 10,000th project.
Volunteers worked on a new roof and furnace for Ypsilanti resident Salieta, who has been in her home for almost 19 years.
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“Habitat has done a lot for me. You know the furnace… and my roof. Oh! I love my roof,” Salieta said in a release. “I’m 74 (years old). I think now, in my life, I can stay in my house for longer.”
HHHV works to provide affordable and stable homes to area residents as rent and home ownership costs have skyrocketed in recent years. Volunteers raise money and perform home improvement for low-to-mid-income residents.
To mark its decade of service, HHHV is trying to raise money for future projects. Right now, donations will be matched by the Friedman Family Fund up to $10,000. Donate here.
Economic data from the Federal Reserve shows that 32% of county residents consider housing a burden. Data from the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development show median rent costs rising from $921 in 2012 to $1,225 in 2021.
HHHV adopted its neighborhood revitalization quality of life framework and started its Home Improvement Program in 2014 to help more residents with critical home repairs and home appliance improvements. In 2019, it saw how local seniors needed specific forms of help, home modifications and repairs, and started the Aging-in-Place program. Through the project, low-income seniors can receive help to make their home safer and more afforable.
“At that time, we shifted focus to include neighborhood stabilization and revitalization, putting more emphasis on impacting more existing households, in addition to creating new homeowners,” said HHHV CEO Sarah Stanton in a release. “We responded to the community’s needs, and those, like Salieta, who are challenged by the outsized repair needs of the aging homes.”
HHHV is also celebrating 10 years of hard work in the West Willow Neighborhood of Ypsilanti. The organization has worked with local residents, community partners and the New West Willow Neighborhood Association to revive the neighborhoods, resulting in more than 500 home improvement projects and renovating and selling 15 affordable homes.
“Our work goes beyond brick and mortar of the houses we renovate,” said Stanton. “We make investments that strengthen the security of neighborhoods. We believe that strong neighborhoods form the foundation that lift entire communities, so we remain committed to neighborhoods where we can have the greatest impact on quality of life.”
The organization has provided 6,500 energy-efficient home appliance replacements, completed 190 exterior home improvement project days and has sold 275 affordable homes to new homeowners in Washtenaw County.