Tomorrow’s Housing Innovation Showcase

The Tomorrow’s Housing Innovation Showcase in North Corktown, Detroit, was a significant event hosted by the North Corktown Neighborhood Association and the Gilbert Family Foundation. In October, 2024, this showcase spotlighted seven highly energy-efficient, factory-built homes designed to address Detroit’s housing affordability crisis. The event allowed visitors to explore how factory-built housing offers quality, cost-effective solutions and promotes sustainable homeownership in an area where housing prices have surged as a result of recent redevelopment.

The homes showcased, ranging from 780 to 1,700 square feet with two- and three-bedroom options, were developed in close consultation with North Corktown residents to meet community needs and desires. Each home was built to Federal HUD Code building specifications or Michigan Residential building codes, showcasing a range of architectural styles, including single-story and multi-story designs. These homes are part of a new community land trust, ensuring long-term affordability for future buyers, and focused on residents earning up to 80% of the area’s median income. The homes benefit from financing options from partners like Rocket Mortgage, Fifth Third Bank, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

The event emphasized community empowerment by demonstrating how factory-built homes can strengthen neighborhood resilience and economic opportunity. In addition, it aligns with the Gilbert Family Foundation’s broader initiative to invest in Detroit’s economic mobility through programs like the Detroit Tax Relief Fund and the Detroit Home Repair Fund, reflecting the commitment to equitable development and housing stability.

For more on this initiative and to join upcoming events, visit Tomorrow’s Housing Innovation