In October 2024, a group of researchers from the University of Michigan’s Taubman College won a grant from the National Science Foundation(NSF) to rehab vacant homes in Detroit. Led by Sharon Haar and titled “Rehab for America: Housing Resilience for Detroit Communities,” the initiative will help address the housing affordability crisis by restoring abandoned homes in Detroit, which has approximately 7,000 vacant properties. Team members will work to improve communication strategies with the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA), streamline construction processes, and collaborate with community partners to identify funding for home repairs. The team’s findings will have implications for cities across the U.S. Our country has a shortage of homes for sale, with the greatest need in the low-income price points. To increase affordability, the US would need a decade of record-level building. 

From an environmental responsibility perspective, this initiative will create more housing stock by rehabbing existing homes rather than constructing new ones. By restoring vacant homes, Detroit will reduce the environmental impact of demolition and new construction, including generating waste, depleting resources like wood, and heightening carbon emissions. Additionally, through its incorporation of innovative materials and streamlining construction processes, the initiative aligns with sustainability goals, ensuring that rehabbed homes are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Architects can contribute to environmental responsibility through adaptive reuse and resource-conscious design.

By prioritizing affordable housing solutions that benefit underserved communities in Detroit, this project exemplifies social responsibility in architecture. The efforts of this team will improve access to vacant homes and simplify the rehab process; more people will become homeowners as the project addresses systemic housing inequities. Through creating partnerships with community organizations and nonprofits, the team will include local voices in the process, fostering community-driven solutions. By thoughtfully designing and engaging, architects can play an important role in promoting equity and creating inclusive neighborhoods.

Congrats to this team, and we look forward to learning more details about the initiative’s findings!