Renew Detroit FAQs

GENERAL FAQ'S

What are the eligibility requirements of the Renew Detroit Home Repair Program?

Renew Detroit has 3 eligibility requirements:

1. Homeowner is Senior (62+) OR is disabled at any age (18+) by the end of the application year
2. Homeowner has an approved current year HOPE (Homeowner Property tax Exemption)
3. Homeowner has not received a City home repair grant of $10,000 or more in last 10 years

Is Renew Detroit an income-based program?

Yes. Renew Detroit uses the HOPE Property Tax exemption as a requirement, which is an income-based program. The 2022 HOPE Income Guidelines are listed below.

If I rent my home, am I eligible to apply?

No, this program is for residents who own and live in their homes, or “owner-occupied” homes. 

How many homes will be selected to participate in this program?

Phase 1 of this program will have 1000 homes selected. When announced in September 2021, Phase 2 of the program anticipated selecting an additional 500 homes. In July 2022, Phase 2 expanded to 1000 homes with the infusion of a $15M award from the State of Michigan.

Is there a limit on the size of the property that will qualify for this program?

There is no square footage minimum or maximum for participants in Renew Detroit. We will complete repairs on detached single-family homes or duplexes (2-family flats) only.

Is there a budgeted limit per house for the home repairs? 

All Renew Detroit participants will receive a full roof replacement, regardless of the cost of the replacement. 

How is Renew Detroit prioritizing who gets a roof?

Renew Detroit utilizes a Home Repair Score to prioritize eligible applicants and selects the top 1,000 scores for conditional selection into the program.

Conditionally selected participants become participants in the Renew Detroit program, they will be assigned to a construction season. Although we will do our best to prioritize homes with more urgent conditions, Renew Detroit is not an emergency program, so we are not always able to take the condition of the roof in consideration when selecting the next participant.

Will there be a lien put on the home after repairs?

No, Renew Detroit is not placing a lien on your property.

One of the eligibility requirements for Renew Detroit is to have an approved current year HOPE, (Homeowners Property Tax Exemption) application, what is the deadline for HOPE applications?

The 2022 deadline for HOPE applications to be submitted is December 12, 2022. We encourage you to submit your HOPE application as soon as possible, to provide as much time for processing as possible.

Visit www.detroitmi.gov/HOPE for more information.

Does Renew Detroit’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 have more than one application period?

No. Each phase for Renew Detroit has one application period. Application periods run for the month of October in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Can I apply for both Phases? 

Residents may only participate in one phase of Renew Detroit.

• If you were not selected to participate in Phase 1, you can apply for Phase 2. 
• If you were selected to participate in Phase 1 and you opted out of the repair, you can apply for Phase 2. 
• If you were selected to participate in Phase 1 and you have agreed to the roof replacement you are not eligible for Phase 2.

Can I use my 2021 HOPE approval to qualify for Phase 2 of the Renew Detroit Program?
No. Renew Detroit requires a current year HOPE approval to be eligible.  

What does Phase 2 include?

A primary focus on roof replacement and a secondary focus on windows.  For homes that require both a roof replacement and window replacements, the roof replacement is likely to be prioritized. Participant homes are limited to one essential home repair and cannot receive both a roof replacement and window replacements.