COVID-19 and Homeownership
From Keep's COVID-19 RESOURCE HUB
The COVID-19 Pandemic has been escalating, and with Governor Whitmer’s “Shelter in Place Order” earlier this week, many of us are spending a lot more time at home, wondering and feeling anxious about many things home-related: keeping busy, keeping our homes sanitized, and keeping mortgages/ rents paid, etc. We’ve pulled together a few things that might help:
Keep has a resource hub page that they’re updated regularly about “Preparing for Uncertain Times” during this crisis. The page includes steps you can take if you can't make your mortgage payment, explains what the FHFA suspension on Foreclosures and Evictions really means, and other info about homeownership during this crisis.
Hunker always has great DIY guides, they’ve got a ton of cleaning focused projects from how to make your own cleaning solutions, to how to disinfect your washing machine, to small projects to keep you occupied like making your own cat-scratching post.
You might be wondering if rehab and repair can continue under the executive order. Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs sent out some info clarifying from the Governor's Office regarding construction, emergency/necessary repairs can be completed, but most work should be paused to limit interactions that could continue the spread of COVID-19.
You can read the whole executive order here.
Q: Is construction allowed under the executive order?
A: Some limited forms of construction are permissible, including construction to maintain and improve essential public works like roads, bridges, the telecommunications infrastructure, and public health infrastructure. Construction workers may also undertake such projects as necessary to maintain and improve the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of residences. In addition, businesses may designate construction firms to provide necessary support to the work of the businesses' critical infrastructure workers. All construction work that is carried out while the order is in effect must be done in accordance with the mitigation measures required under section 5(c) of the order.
Detroit Water Restart Plan
If you’re a Detroiter and your water has been off -- you can restore water service and prevent new service interruptions. If your water service was recently interrupted due to non-payment; or you’ve received a door hanger notice that you are at risk of service interruption for non-payment, you may want to consider this plan. Details here.
Curbed Detroit knows COVD-19 will affect property values-- read their article talking with a variety of experts (economists to realtors) asking by “How much?”
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has put together a collection of links including virtual tours to historic places and activities your family can stay busy and engaged with learning.
What are you doing to stay busy? Are you working on any new projects around the house? Finally taking on that repair? We want to hear about it! What are you DIY-ing, and what online classes or resource guides would you like to see from us while we #stayathome? Let us know on instagram @brickandbeamdetroit!
More info & Resources
We hope you’re taking care of yourself and each other.
You’ve likely seen countless resource emails and lists, but here are a few:
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Outlier Media is helping Detroiters can get information about how to navigate health and safety, food, childcare, and housing during this outbreak. Text “CORONA” to 73224 to tell them what you need right now.
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Bridge Magazine is keeping up-to-date with articles & resources
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A Coalition of Organizations have put together MIcovidcommunity.com.
If you’re looking for more reading on COVID-19:
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Tomas Pueyo has put out some in-depth pieces on Medium
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Information is Beautiful has published an easy-to-read data pack,
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Look to the City of Detroit, State of MI, and CDC as official sources
This list was compiled by Alissa Shelton for Brick + Beam Detroit. This version is from March 27, 2020.