The Detroit Housing Commission's Resident Services Department provides excellent resident engagement and overall positive experience by offering superior service delivery, resident advocacy, and quality customer service. We develop programs that give residents access to the resources and support they need to succeed in their tenancy and beyond.

• Develop a comprehensive array of programs and services that address the present and future needs of the resident population.
• Address “aging in place” issues of increasing frailties and the associated physical, emotional, and social consequences for residents.
• Assist families in overcoming the barriers to self-sufficiency through linkages with community resources related to employment, education, financial planning, childcare, etc.
• Target activities that enhance the living environment, increase socialization and interaction among residents, and promote independence and self-sufficiency.
• Ensure residents are meaningfully involved in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of programs and services intended for their benefit.

Resident Services: Standout Moments & Impact Recap

The Resident Services Department has delivered transformative results, breaking down operational silos and shifting from standard management to mission-driven leadership. Through intentional community outreach, strategic partnerships, and robust case management, the team has significantly expanded its service footprint and elevated the economic mobility of the families we serve.

Pathway to Homeownership & Wealth Creation

We are actively turning the dream of property ownership into a reality for our residents, fostering long-term generational wealth.

• Graduation Milestone: Successfully guided 13 residents into independent homeownership.
• Accelerated Momentum: Currently on track to nearly double that impact, with 25 residents projected to complete the homeownership pipeline.

YouthBuild Grant Expansion

Our youth initiative has seen a massive expansion, equipping young Detroiters (18 years old to 24 years old) with the tangible skills needed to build viable careers.

• Footprint Expansion: Onboarded 134 participants across concurrent active grant cycles.
• Academic Excellence: Celebrated a major milestone with 14 participants successfully earning their GEDs, establishing a strong baseline for their future employment and secondary education.

Jobs Plus Program Triumphs

The Jobs Plus program completely shattered its enrollment and economic performance metrics, driving historic wage increases for our workforce.

• Enrollment Surplus: Exceeded federal enrollment requirements by 21.69%, maintaining an active roster of 331 enrolled residents.
• Workable Adult Milestone: Surpassed our targeted goal for workable adults by 16.17%.
• Economic Impact: Achieved a remarkable average participant income of $70,396.53, directly boosting local household economic stability.

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Economic Power

The FSS program continues to be our premier engine for financial independence, moving families away from assistance and toward true economic security.

The Power of people: Empowered 133 participants to cross the finish line and successfully graduate from the program.

Historic Escrow Wealth: Generated a grand total of $947,592.21 in accrued escrow payments disbursed directly to our graduates, providing them with the capital needed to invest in businesses, education, and down payments for homeownership.

Health, Nutrition, & Senior Care Wrap-Around Services

Recognizing that economic mobility is impossible without a foundation of health and food security, the team launched aggressive, high-impact strategic partnerships to shield our most vulnerable populations from inflation and rising grocery costs during 2025.

• Large-Scale Food Security: Coordinated a massive distribution initiative that provided 800 families with consistent, ongoing access to fresh, high-quality produce and essential pantry staples.
• Dignity for Seniors: Safely delivered over 1,000 free meals directly into our senior living communities, ensuring our elders remained nourished, supported, and connected.

Across every metric—from housing stability and youth workforce development to historic wage increases and community health—the Resident Services team has proven that when we align our workflows and operate with an "I Can and I Will" mindset, we redefine what community transformation looks like.