Stellantis and the city are partnering to provide $3.3 million in home repair grants for residents living around the Detroit Assembly Complex-Mack.
Stellantis, the state, city and Invest Detroit reallocated unspent funds from the Mack development project to home repairs in response to feedback from the community, according to a news release. Detroit’s housing and revitalization department is running the home repair program that will include $2.7 million in unspent project funds, along with $600,000 from the Community Benefits Agreement Neighborhood Impact Fund, which will be transferred from Invest Detroit to the city for administering the program.
The company previously provided $1.8 million in home repair grants, used by 120 homeowners in 2020 and 2021, now totaling more than $5 million in grants, according to the news release.
“In listening to our neighbors, we recognized there was additional need for home repairs, so redirecting these funds where they could do the most good was an easy decision,” said Christine Estereicher, vice president of public affairs at Stellantis North America. “One of Stellantis’ values is to care for the future, and we hope these additional funds will help our neighbors make necessary updates to their homes.”
In the last five years, Stellantis has made other investments in the community.
The company invested $4 million to launch the Advanced Manufacturing Academy at Southeastern High School in partnership with Detroit Public Schools Community District. Stellantis also invested $1.4 million to mitigate impacts of the plant’s construction, which includes building a stormwater park to control rainwater runoff and vegetative buffers and bioswales to further minimize stormwater runoff; planting 1,100 trees on the Mack Assembly property and in the neighborhood, which enhanced the green buffer, air filtration and stormwater management; and transforming empty lots to green spaces with trees, shrubs and gardens.
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The company also established the Automotive Manufacturing Program in Mechatronics at Wayne County Community College Eastern Campus, and invested $200,000 to support community projects in the Chandler Park, West End and Riverbend neighborhoods.
On the flip side, neighbors of the plant have longstanding concerns about odor and particulate pollution from the plant.
Residents who live near the plant can contact the city’s housing department at 313-628-2231 for more information on the grants. Applications will be available in January 2025.
Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: [email protected]. Follow her: @DanaAfana.