Our “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the church’s role in helping to address the affordable housing shortage in Michigan. A recent BridgeDetroit report found that several churches in the state have stepped up to develop or renovate homes to help ease the crisis. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Pastor Barry Randolph of Church of the Messiah and Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hood III from Plymouth United Church of Christ about how their churches have developed affordable housing in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Pastor Barry talks about how his church has been developing affordable housing in the Islandview community for 48 years to help make sure homes are available for the average Detroiter. He explains that his church also provides wraparound services in the neighborhood to meet the needs of residents, making the church the center of the community.  Pastor Barry also offers his thoughts on the expensive home rental costs across the nation and the lack of jobs to sustain these living costs.

Rev. Hood tells how his father created the Plymouth Non-Profit Housing Corporation, which developed 230 units of new housing for low-to-moderate income residents in the neighborhood in 1960.  He talks about how the church has offered services to the residents, such as computers for children and a food program. Rev. Hood also addresses how the City of Detroit can help attract housing development and residents.