LISC Detroit

Read more about our home repair model below!

Detroit homeowners were hit early and hard by the foreclosure crisis of the mid-2000s. Limited access to credit and depressed property values left many residents without safe, affordable options to repair their homes.

In 2015, the City of Detroit and LISC Detroit—with support from Bank of America, Rocket Community Fund, and Flagstar Bank—responded with a bold public-private solution: the 0% Interest Home Repair Loan Program. Designed for low- and moderate-income homeowners, the program expanded access to flexible, affordable financing when it was needed most.

To date, the initiative has helped over 800 Detroit homeowners complete critical home repairs, investing nearly $17 million into neighborhoods, and the model is now being replicated in other cities by LISC. Read more about how this approach is preserving homes, building equity, and strengthening communities: https://www.lisc.org/our-stories/story/repairing-homes-restoring-wealth-inside-liscs-groundbreaking-home-repair-loan-model/

Meet Stacey Rahmaan, a dedicated mother of three who works for an American auto manufacturer in Detroit. She always dreamed of owning a home—and now, that dream has come true.

With support from housing and financial coaches at Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, a LISC partner, Rahmaan cut her expenses, improved her credit, paid off her debt and built her savings. What’s more, she took advantage of a matched savings program available through the Rocket Wealth Accelerator, a partnership between LISC and Rocket Community Fund.

The road to homeownership wasn’t easy, but Rahmaan stuck with the process. “There’s always going to be something in your way, but if you put your mind to it, you can do it,” she said.

This spring Rahmaan and her family moved into their new home in a quiet neighborhood, using the matched funds from the Rocket Wealth Accelerator to pay the closing costs. “I feel really good,” she said. “There’s no second-guessing this.”

LISC Detroit

Read more about small business readiness for crisis and disaster below, as LISC talks about strengthening local Business Development Organizations (BDOs) and their Small Business Resiliency program.

Natural disasters are becoming more frequent, and for small businesses, not planning ahead can come at a financial cost.

In 2024, LISC launched a $5 million program to help small businesses prepare for and recover from unexpected crises. Through our national network of Business Development Organizations (BDOs), LISC’s Small Business Resiliency program provides training, one-on-one support, and continuity planning tools to entrepreneurs across Chicago, Detroit, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico—most in low-to-moderate income communities.

The result: resilience built into daily operations and stronger local economies ready for whatever comes next.

Read more: https://www.lisc.org/our-stories/story/recovery-readiness-lisc-empowering-small-businesses-thrive-any-crisis/

Looking to launch and sustain your business? Apply to the Eastern Michigan University Empowerment Program, designed for early-stage entrepreneurs ​from low to moderate income backgrounds. The Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is launching the empowerment program to support local entrepreneurs to launch, sustain, and grow their businesses. The deadline to apply is December 5th!

Good morning partners,
LISC Detroit and Kipling Development invite you to attend an online case study on our newest NOAH Preservation project: Trumbull Terrace

Please see the attached flyer for details. RSVP to [email protected] by November 10th (RSVPs will be taken on a first come, first serve basis).
We look forward to seeing you there!

Our very own Brandon Ivory spoke at the 2025 Michigan Sociological Association (MSA) Conference, which was held this past Saturday at Wayne State. He was a key panelist discussing "Community Engagement for Mobility and Environmental Equity in Detroit." Way to go, B!

We are excited to bring three new Members onto our Local Advisory Committee (LAC). Please join us in welcoming Esmat, Linda, and Rod!

In partnership with Vanguard CDC, we were proud to receive an award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for our work in advancing Community-Centered Economic Inclusion. This "Neighborhood Development" award recognizes our collective efforts to catalyze economic growth that benefits the entire community in Milwaukee Junction, a Detroit neighborhood.

We’re proud to share that Vanguard Community Development, alongside our partners at LISC Detroit, has been recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for our work advancing inclusive economic growth right here in North End/Milwaukee Junction.

Together, we received the Neighborhood Development Award for our efforts to create pathways for opportunity, support local businesses, and ensure that growth benefits everyone in the community.

This recognition reflects years of collaboration and commitment to a shared vision: a thriving, equitable North End where residents and businesses can grow together.

Huge congratulations to Lisa Tucker, VP, Economic Development and Rob Lockett, Executive Director, LISC Detroit.

LISC, local offices and Financial Opportunity Center® (FOC) partners gathered in Chicago this week at for 2025 Financial Opportunity Center® National Convening, where we gathered to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the FOC model. Guided by the theme "Strength in Community: Together We Rise," the convening featured informative panels, influential speakers, and opportunities for the nearly 300 guests to connect, learn and celebrate.

We were honored to have one of our partners from the Gilbert Family Foundation speak on heirs' property today at the LISC Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) National Convening.

More on the FOC conference to come...

Our Housing Stability Senior Program Manager, Paris Wilson, will be speaking on a panel today at the LISC conference about heirs' property—inherited land without clear title—and discussing different strategies to help families resolve title issues, preserve generational wealth, and expand access to home ownership and financing.

We are proud to have leaders in this space and thank LISC Detroit for the opportunity to share stories and efforts being taken in support of the Detroit Heirs' Property Program.

Huge opportunity for Detroit nonprofits! Accepting applications for grants up to 100K, now through September 30th. See the post and link below for more details!

We are thrilled to continue partnering with the Foot Locker Foundation on the Community Empowerment Program, making grants like these possible.

The Community Empowerment Program, a collaboration of LISC and Foot Locker Foundation, is now accepting applications for grants of up to $100K. in 14 cities that provide health, education, mentoring and jobs programs to youth in low-to-moderate income communities are eligible to apply.

The application deadline is September 30. Learn more: lisc.org/our-initiatives/sports-recreation/foot-locker-foundation-community-empowerment-program/