Habitat for Humanity

The Foundation's Trustees believe that the physical revitalization of the central City is of critical importance to the entire metropolitan community. Therefore, the Foundation strives to encourage downtown revitalization strategies and redevelopment projects. The Foundation has a particular interest in helping to stimulate the redevelopment of the Woodward Corridor area. This is an important focal area for the community as well as home to The Detroit Medical Center, the Cultural Center institutions, and Wayne State University. The Foundation also supports projects in other areas of the City, including neighborhood revitalization and development.

In 2003, the Foundation made a five-year $5,000,000 commitment to the Detroit Renaissance Foundation for two important development efforts. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Riverwalk Project is focused on the development of a pedestrian trail over the three miles from Joe Louis Arena to Belle Isle. This dynamic project will create a vibrant, attractive riverfront that will result in high quality housing and commercial development along the Detroit River. The Lower Woodward Development Strategy is an effort to redevelop strategic buildings into mixed-use residential and commercial properties in downtown Detroit. Combined, these two projects have the potential of producing upwards of 7,000 new units of housing, millions of square feet of destination retail and commercial space, and billions of dollars of investment in Detroit.

Other Grant Highlights:

$1,200,000 to Local Initiatives Support Corporation to focus on improving the quality of life in neighborhoods, and enhancing housing and commercial development.

$500,000 to Downtown Detroit Partnership, Inc. for the Clean Downtown Initiative, an effort to improve the visibility, safety and marketability of downtown Detroit.

$450,000 to the University Cultural Center Association to continue to rejuvenate the environment along Woodward Avenue between downtown Detroit and the New Center area.