When I Think of Home
Had a fun beach day in St. Joseph, MI back in August!
Disclaimer: The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has sponsored this blog post.
For me, home is not only where the heart is, but it’s where the Great Lakes, Belle Isle, Coney Islands, and the Avenue of Fashion are, too. I’ve lived in Michigan my entire life, but something about living here as an adult feels even more special.
I may be saying this because it’s the only place I’ve lived, but the Mitten has always felt like home to me. As I talked about in my blog post about community, I had a great foundation in the neighborhood I grew up in, and going to Michigan State for undergrad helped to mold me into the woman I am today. I’ve created long-lasting friendships here, have familial roots here, and continue to work hard and make a name for myself, all within the state I was born and raised.
Aside from all of that, Michigan really is a beautiful state. We have freshwater, gorgeous green spaces, and of course, the Detroit skyline is probably one of the most recognizable things about the state. I love that we actually experience all four seasons, too. One of my favorite things is watching the trees in my neighborhood change colors in the fall – and having a white Christmas makes me feel all warm & fuzzy inside during the holiday season.
I could have chosen any place else to move to after college, but I decided to come back to Detroit, and I’m so glad I did. Since becoming a homeowner, I’ve been able to start making my own memories and creating my own traditions. From (pre-COVID) house parties to socially-distant Belle Isle beach days with friends and beyond, I’m grateful for all of the days spent in the Motor City, and I’m looking forward to more.
Quality time with quality people! Spent my birthday weekend at Belle Isle with some of my favorite folks.
For those of you interested in buying a home in Michigan soon, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has resources to help you along your journey. The Michigan Down Payment program provides up to $7,500 of downpayment assistance to first-time homebuyers statewide and repeat homebuyers in targeted areas.
Lastly, we cannot talk about housing without acknowledging the fact that because of the pandemic, people across the country have lost their jobs, which has ultimately had an effect on their finances. MSHDA’s Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) has $50 million in rental assistance to keep qualified Michigan residents who fell behind on their rent during COVID-19 in their homes.
For more information about MSHDA and the programs and resources they offer, visit https://bit.ly/39EZeSE.