Page 10 - Our Hands FALL 2019

Photo by Andrew Jameson

FREEDOM VILLAGE

Wayne County’s Freedom Village

to Help Resettle Refugees in Hamtramck

Program leverages federal funds to provide housing

to immigrants and refugees

ayne County is partnering with be more proud that Wayne Metro is a partner in
Wayne Metropolitan Community welcoming refugees to our community where they
WAction Agency, Samaritas and the can live and breathe free.”
City of Hamtramck as part of Freedom Village,
a resettlement program designed to provide The Wayne County HOME Investment
refugees and immigrants with temporary, Partnerships Program (HOME), a federal grant
affordable housing. Funded with federal housing program through the U.S. Department of
dollars, construction of three two-family homes Housing and Development (HUD), is a tool that
in Hamtramck is already underway and project supports affordable housing by providing rental
completion is expected by the summer of 2020. housing and homeownership opportunities for
low-income families.
“Freedom Village seeks to provide a better life
to low-income refugees and immigrants by “Samaritas is incredibly excited to be partnering
surrounding them with the resources they need with Wayne County and Wayne Metro for this
to eventually pursue permanent homeownership important project that will create opportunities
opportunities,” said Wayne County Executive for affordable transitional housing for the New
Warren C. Evans. “We are a welcoming county Americans families in our care,” said Sam
that derives its strength from the diversity of its Beals, Samaritas CEO. “Samaritas is the lead
residents, and this project epitomizes that core organization in Michigan helping to resettle
value.” refugee families for more than 70 years, and
having beautiful builds like this one, appropriately
The purpose of the Hamtramck project is to called Freedom Village, in Hamtramck, is much
develop new-construction affordable housing needed and a great location for this project as a
on Wayne County Land Bank-owned parcels in welcoming city in metro Detroit.”
the City of Hamtramck, with Wayne County
Metropolitan Community Action Agency A development agreement between the City
serving as the property developer and owner and of Hamtramck, County of Wayne, Wayne
Samaritas serving as the refugee placement and Metropolitan Community Action Agency,
services provider. The program is designed to Samaritas, and the Wayne County Land Bank
leverage partner resources to provide job training, Corporation outlines each organization’s
school readiness and homebuyer assistance that responsibilities under this unique arrangement.
better position the families to pursue permanent
home ownership opportunities while temporarily
housing them near resources like Wayne County’s
Federally Qualified Health Center in Hamtramck.

“Freedom Village is a beacon of hope and
compassion. The project demonstrates Wayne
County’s commitment to America’s longstanding
practice of helping people seeking asylum,” said
Wayne Metro CEO Louis D. Piszker. “I couldn’t

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