Equitable Funding for Home Repairs

For Brown, becoming a homeowner was only the beginning. Like many Detroit homes, the house needed major repairs—including a new roof and basement work. As a senior with a disability living on limited income, those expenses were impossible to cover out‑of‑pocket. “I’m a senior disabled,” Brown said. “Trying to save—between gas and food—we can’t get the roof done.”

Approximately one in five Detroit residents lives with a disability, and 43% of Detroiters with disabilities live below the poverty line. Accessible, safe housing is in critically short supply, particularly for seniors aging in place.

Greg Brown’s journey with OppFund didn’t stop at the mortgage. Staff helped Brown apply for a home repair grant, guiding him through bids and paperwork. The grant was approved months later. “Now I got a grant to get our roof done and our basement done,” he said. “And that right there—it’s God. OppFund is working with God. It’s so cool.”

Housing advocates note that these repairs are not cosmetic. Detroit’s housing stock is old (many homes are over 80 years old) and deferred maintenance is strongly linked to asthma attacks, fall‑related injuries among seniors, and other preventable health outcomes.

What stayed with Brown wasn’t just the financing; it was how service was provided. “It’s something different,” he said. “It’s like they knew us and wanted to help us. There was always a hug, even on the phone.”

That trust matters in a city where many residents still carry scars from foreclosure, predatory lending, and exploitative contracts. Studies have shown that distrust of financial institutions remains a significant barrier to homeownership and repair financing in Detroit, even when programs technically exist.