Projects

The Washtenaw County Racial Equity office has contracted with the Center to evaluate the Washtenaw County Rescue Plan (WCRP). This $71 million initiative was funded through the American Rescue Plan.

Through the voices of community residents, both in interviews and personal journal reflections, this project explores the transition from renting to homeownership across two former LIHTC developments in Detroit. By collecting their experiences with credit, money management, household finances, and more, we will be able to recommend ways lenders can evaluate mortgage applications to make housing finance available to more families in Detroit and around the country.

Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) is the citywide summer jobs program for youth between the ages of 14 and 24. Workforce participation at an early age has developmental and academic benefits, and improves labor market outcomes later in life. However, these opportunities vary greatly and are not equally accessible. Programs like GDYT offer youth the advantages of employment without sacrificing time from school, or impinging on other responsibilities.

Through funding from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan has subcontracted with the Center to develop common measures of engagement and impact across Michigan’s network of Child Savings Account (CSA) programs. (For more information on CSAs, and their role in building household assets, visit Prosperity Now.) Together, the Center and CEDAM intend to produce an annual “State of MI CSAs” report.