FORD GOES BIG TO SUPPORT FIRST-EVER DETROIT TINY HOMES NEIGHBORHOOD LED BY CASS COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES

• Ford is contributing $400,000 toward construction of 25 tiny homes to revitalize Detroit neighborhood; Ford Volunteer Corps members to assist with projects
• Tiny homes are part of a $1.5 million neighborhood by Cass Community Social Services to provide affordable housing for low-and moderate-income residents
• Ford contributions are part of a growing community presence for the automaker in Detroit and Southeast Michigan, where the company expects to invest $20 million this year.

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 Resource and Engagement Center, an innovative community gathering place in Southwest Detroit has provided 85,000 youth and families with a range of social and cultural services, including 1.3 million pounds of food and helping to complete 6,100 tax returns
• $10 million contribution to Detroit Institute of Arts as part of the Grand Bargain program, as well as donations for emergency vehicles, Detroit Water Fund and M-1 Rail project
• Lead sponsorship of America’s Thanksgiving Parade and Ford Fireworks in Detroit, as well as increased presence at this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival
• Commitment to education through Blue Oval Scholarships, Henry Ford Academy, career academies, and an innovative technology education platform called Ford STEAM Lab
• Ford Volunteer Corps activity that has filled 80,000 volunteer positions in more than 8,000 community service projects with Detroit-area nonprofits

“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.