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DETROIT, Sept. 8, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is making a major investment in Cass Community Social Services’ tiny homes project, an innovative Detroit neighborhood revitalization plan aimed at providing affordable housing for low-and-moderate income residents.
Ford is contributing $400,000 and Ford Volunteer Corps members are lending their time – making Ford the lead supporter of the $1.5 million project. The automaker’s contributions, including those from its philanthropic arm Ford Motor Company Fund, build on Ford’s commitment to local community service that began more than 100 years ago.
“Cass Community’s tiny homes project presents an opportunity to make a big difference in an underserved Detroit neighborhood,” says Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Ford has a proud legacy of giving back to Detroit and Southeast Michigan, and this type of transformational project aligns with our mission of making people’s lives better through innovation.”
The tiny homes project will provide permanent housing to individuals and couples, including college students, senior citizens, formerly homeless people and members of the social services staff. When complete, the new architecturally distinctive community will have 25 tiny homes ranging from 250 to 400 square feet on 30-by-100 foot lots.
“We are immeasurably grateful to the Ford Motor Company Fund and our other generous supporters for helping us build Detroit’s first tiny home community,” said Rev. Faith Fowler, executive director, Cass Community Social Services. “The Cass Tiny Homes development is so much more than housing. It is a novel anti-poverty program that will transform the residents and this neighborhood while it helps to protect the planet.”
Ford, a longtime supporter of Cass Community Social Services, is investing in the tiny homes project as part of an expanding community presence for the automaker in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Ford and Ford Fund expect to contribute $20 million to local educational, arts, cultural, diversity, hunger relief and social service organizations this year – a 70 percent increase from the annual giving amount five years ago.
Over the last 10 years, Ford and Ford Fund have made community investments totaling $161 million in the region. Specific examples include:
“Ford has always played a role in serving the communities where we do business,” says Vella. “We are excited about the future of our region and look forward to expanding even further in critical areas such as education, arts and culture.”
To follow the Tiny Home Open House coverage on social media, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @fordincommunity and watch an Instagram story for behind the scenes footage. Cass Community tiny home news can also be found through #tinyhomedetroit and #fordgivesback.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 174,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community and global partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 65 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. Ford Driving Skills for Life is free, interactive, hands-on safety training focused on skill development and driving techniques, while addressing inexperience, distractions and impaired driving. Innovation in education is encouraged through Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford Next Generation Learning and other inspiring programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. The Ford Volunteer Corps enlists more than 30,000 Ford employees and retirees each year to work on local projects that strengthen their communities and improve people’s lives in more than 40 countries around the world. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com.
Cass Community Social Services is dedicated to making a profound difference in the lives of the diverse populations it serves by providing for basic needs, including affordable housing, promoting self-reliance and encouraging community involvement. The agency works with men, women and children with HIV/AIDS, medical and mental illness, developmental disabilities and/or substance abuse. Cass utilizes 7,000volunteers annually. Every night, more than 300 homeless men, women and children stay in a Cass facility. To learn more about Cass Community Social Services, please visit www.casscommunity.org.