We’ve been working hard to renovate our home since moving in a few months ago. In the past weeks, we’ve been able to meet more of our neighbors and explore our surrounding community. We’re wandering the trails, biking down to picnic at the park by the dam, and walking to get ice cream at our neighborhood spot on sweltering afternoons that melt into evening. We’ve been chatting with several neighbors who are working on home projects and landscaping to raise their curb appeal, and sharing in our plans to do the same.
Community, and the ability to enjoy our neighborhood and all its offerings, is so important to us. Luckily, it can be made possible for homeowners and communities across Michigan through Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s (MSHDA).
MSHDA’s mission is to serve the people of Michigan by partnering to provide quality housing that is affordable and a cornerstone of diverse, thriving communities. One of the ways they carry out their mission is through their Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP). This program addresses individual and community-wide efforts to improve and upgrade neighborhoods across the state.
3 Ways to Focus on your Community with MSHDA’s Neighborhood Enhancement Program:
1. Housing Enhancement
The Neighborhood Enhancement Program works with individual homeowners. Such renovations can include anything from exterior upgrades, improving accessibility for seniors or those living with a disability, and tackling historic area improvements. These improvements have a direct impact on the home and raises the level of the neighborhood as a result.
In our personal efforts to work on housing enhancement, we still have several projects to tackle outside, including extending the front porch concrete, adding pillars, and replacing the front doors. However, we are making progress! We recently painted the exterior of the house, taking it from brown to a creamy white with sea salt accents. Even without the front porch and pillar addition, it has made a huge difference in our curb appeal! We also changed out the existing lamps in favor of larger lanterns, keeping in line with our cozy cottage look.
2. Neighborhood Beautification
MSHDA’s Neighborhood Enhancement Program also focuses on community through neighborhood beautification projects. Upgrades can include removing graffiti and installing murals, removing eye sores in favor of signage and perennials, and even blitz painting the neighborhood. You can learn more about eligibility or submit a project proposal on MSHDA’s website.
3. Neighborhood Public Amenity Enhancements
The NEP provides funding statewide for activities directly tied to stabilization and enhancement of Michigan neighborhoods by nonprofit 501(c)3 agencies. Such projects to enhance public amenities could include upgrading a local farmer’s market, installing or beautifying a pocket park or playground, improving trails, or creating community gardens on abandoned lots.
The Neighborhood Enhancement Program supports MSHDA’s vision to make Michigan a place where all people have quality affordable housing.
I’m so excited for the progress we have made on our home and look forward to sharing more with you. I’m so grateful to be part of our community and continue to invest in it.
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