The city of Detroit, nicknamed the Motor City, is the capital of the state of Michigan in Northern USA near the Canadian border. The city is famous for both its legacy and recent history. It is where the American automotive industry was created and held its base for decades. Henry Ford developed the assembly line technique of mass production in 1914 and what followed suit led to extremely prosperous years for the city. Detroit is also the birthplace of soul music through the creation of Motown Records by Barry Gordy Jr. in 1959. Motown brought racial integration to pop music, and changed its landscape forever bringing a fresh sound and style that influences music to this day. Opposingly, it is more recently known for having entered the largest municipal filing for bankruptcy in United States history. After years of corrupt policy and poor leadership, on July 18, 2013, the Motor City officially entered Chapter 9 bankruptcy with debts around $18 to $20 billion USD.
During its industrial peak the municipality was home to nearly two million people, but today the population has dwindled to approximately 700,000. Sadly one of the rising numbers in Detroit at the moment are in its abandoned properties. A significant percentage of housing parcels in the city are vacant, with abandoned lots making up more than half of total residential lots in large portions of the city. With at least 70,000 abandoned buildings, 31,000 empty houses, and 90,000 vacant lots, Detroit has become notorious for its urban blight. As the city continued to spiral downward and population declined, it became a challenge to maintain communities and provide even the most basic of municipal services. Today the Detroit area electricity costs far exceed the national average, ranging from 11.9 percent to 26.7 percent more. Unfortunately in its poorest communities these percentages become even higher.
Following the 2013 Bankruptcy of the city of Detroit, many lifetime or long-term residents left seeking opportunity elsewhere. But some stayed, unwilling to leave behind the city they love as it fell into collapse. The Heath, Hansborough and Travick families have stayed and invested their time and minimal resources to stay in the city they call home, and to see through its rebuilding. City services have become unbearably high, and electricity is one of the most important as most heating is electric. Winter temperature average around 20°F (-6°C) and at times reach the negative teens. A local non-profit called the NEWCC has partnered with the Honnold Foundation to bring solar technology to those most in need. In the first month of use, Shavone Travick, who works six days a week as a caregiver, saw her bill go from over $300 average to $0.
Shavone Travick (41) enjoys a weekly game night with friends and family Charlotte Sloan (53), Lloyd Davis (53), and Lakeshia Williams (43) at her home in Detroit, Michigan. On July 18, 2013, Detroit officially entered Chapter 9 bankruptcy, leading to population decline. These declines have created a challenge to maintain communities and provide even the most basic of municipal services. Detroit has well above average utility rates and suffers frequent blackouts in low income communities. Shavone and her children live in an area that is largely abandoned and has experienced inflated utility rates. Being a recent recipient of solar panels from local non-profit NEWCC and the Honnold Foundation has alleviated both heavy electric bills and economic stress.
Norma Heath (57) tends the community garden she created in an abandoned lot next to her home with husband, Kelvin Heath, while their granddaughter, Skylar Heath(7), plays in the background. On July 18, 2013, Detroit officially entered Chapter 9 bankruptcy, leading to population decline. These declines have created a challenge to maintain communities and provide even the most basic of municipal services. Detroit has well above average utility rates and suffers frequent blackouts in low income communities. Norma works with local non-profits to alleviate the economic stress and loss of services her neighborhood has experienced. Together with local non-profit NEWCC and the Honnold Foundation, Norma has beautified and improved the lot next to her home with a community garden and solar powered charging station and wifi network.
Betty Hansborough (70) helps her granddaughter Ta Myra Lowery (6) with her homework surrounded by family members Anthony Jr. Hansborough 3, Myles Hansborough (24), and Khi’ell Hansborough (1) in her home in Detroit, Michigan. On July 18, 2013, Detroit officially entered Chapter 9 bankruptcy, leading to population decline. These declines have created a challenge to maintain communities and provide even the most basic of municipal services. Detroit has well above average utility rates and suffers frequent blackouts in low income communities. Betty and her family live in an area that is largely abandoned and has experienced inflated utility rates. Being a recent recipient of solar panels from local non-profit NEWCC and the Honnold Foundation has alleviated both heavy electric bills and economic stress.