6 minute read
A Gift to Detroit Citizens
OUR COMMUNITY
Volunteers from Rocket Companies went door to door to canvas for homeowners delinquent on their taxes.
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A Gift to Detroit Citizens
ROCKET COMPANIES
Gilbert Family Foundation, Rocket Community Fund announce $500 million commitment to Detroit.
JN STAFF
Dan and Jennifer Gilbert announced a Mike Duggan and Wayne County Executive pledge of $500 million to aid citizens Warren Evans were on hand to announce the of Detroit over the next 10 years at good news. a press conference March 25. The Gilbert Family Foundation will contribute $350 million, and the Rocket Community Fund will invest $150 million. The first allocation of $15 million will pay off the property Dan Gilbert tax debt of 20,000 low-income Detroit homeowners. In doing so, the Foundation will assist in preserving an estimated $400 million in wealth and home equity in Detroit. The investment will establish Jennifer the Detroit Tax Relief Fund to Gilbert be administered by Detroit nonprofit Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, which will pay the remaining delinquent tax burden on behalf of program- eligible residents.
Along with Dan and Jennifer Gilbert, Rocket Companies CEO Jay Farner, Rocket Community Fund Vice President Laura Grannemann, Gilbert Family Foundation Executive Director Joyce Keller, Detroit Mayor
A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM
Rocket Companies Chairman Dan Gilbert has been a proponent of addressing housing stability since chairing the Detroit Blight Removal Tax Force in 2013. It was then he realized one of the main causes of blight is home foreclosure. “This unparalleled commitment builds off of the work we have done over the past several years and scales it in a way that will allow us to continue addressing issues that have been facing Detroiters for generations alongside the Gilbert Family Foundation,” Grannemann of Rocket Community Fund said. During the Rocket Community Fund’s 2019 citywide canvas of tax delinquent properties through Neighbor to Neighbor — a door-todoor effort — the organization discovered nearly 90% of Detroit homeowners behind on their property taxes should have been able to qualify for relief but were not aware of the programs available to them or were unsure of how to apply. According to Gilbert, much of the back property taxes owed came from penalties and interest, leaving homeowners in a cycle of debt and uncertainty about their ability to stay in their homes. “The problem was systemic and generational,” he said.
“Everyone deserves to achieve the American dream of homeownership, and that includes the ability to sustainably and permanently enjoy the home you make for yourself, your family and your loved ones,” said Gilbert, who added that home ownership is the main way most Americans build wealth and economic mobility.
‘BIGGER SOLUTIONS’
Over the course of 2020, Gilbert Family Foundation cofounder Jennifer Gilbert held focus groups with Detroit leaders and residents to better understand the challenges they face. Two themes emerged: Detroiters are resilient, and Detroiters need greater access to opportunity. “Big problems require even bigger solutions that address the symptoms as well as the systems that have contributed to the challenges Detroit continues to face,” Jennifer Gilbert said. “We look forward to working with existing and future partners to drive systemic change in Detroit.”
The Gilberts stressed the important role played by their employees, whose work resulted in the ability to redistribute wealth to make an impact on the lives of others — a mission of Rocket Companies.
When asked why now for announcing the program, the Gilberts said that they were confident the necessary partnerships, policies and programs were in place to make the program a success.
Following the first initiative, Jennifer Gilbert said the Gilbert Family Foundation plans to remain connected to the homeowners supported through the Detroit Tax Relief Fund to help shape future investments in economic opportunity and mobility.
Further investments will be focused on their community priorities and may include digital equity, home repair needs, employment opportunities and other areas.
The Gilbert Family Foundation also remains committed to supporting efforts to cure neurofibromatosis, a nervous system disorder.
“The greatest resource of any community is its people, and we are honored to be able to invest in removing this tax burden, which will build a stronger foundation for Detroit families to thrive,” Dan Gilbert said.
Brian Zifkin, his wife, Anneke, and daughter Raizel of Zalman's Treasures
continued from page 23
a sense of community at a time when people couldn’t see each other,” Besl said.
Mi She-Bei-ROCK® and The Funky Craft Studio: (248) 330-8016.
ZALMAN’S TREASURES
Brian Zifkin, executive vice president of Zalman’s Treasures, a jewelry store and repair shop in Berkley, said it was painful to close its doors weeks before last
Passover, usually one of their busiest times. Even once they reopened, people were still nervous to come in at first.
Zifkin said, “We’ve always been very health conscious, but we’ve stepped that up, too. Now we even disinfect the entire watch battery changing station in between battery changes, which takes a lot of time.”
Zifkin always gives donations, gift cards and jewelry to “pretty much every organization that calls for donations,” including schools and synagogues. The store also offers free watch battery changes and minor jewelry repairs for all first responders, and when COVID arrived, it added teachers to that list.
“I consider teachers frontline workers, too,” Zifkin said. “The community takes care of us; we take care of them. Especially those amazing frontline workers who
are literally putting their lives on the line to protect and serve and educate. It is my honor to give back to them in this small way.”
In a beautiful display of generosity coming full circle, Zifkin said that many of the first responders and teachers still insist on paying because they know how small businesses have been hurt in the pandemic, are happy to support local and want to give back themselves.
Zalman’s Treasures: (248) 547-8383.
— ZALMAN’S TREASURES’ BRIAN ZIFKIN American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science
mourns the passing of
STEPHEN GRAND
Steve was a champion of science and the betterment of humanity who will be deeply missed by the Weizmann Institute family. His remarkable legacy at Weizmann will continue through the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Nancy Grand and to the entire family. May Steve’s memory be for a blessing.
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