Detroit has timely assistance for newcomers and longtime residents who value vintage houses -- a resource in ample, affordable supply.

Those wanting to improve properties, either by themselves or in collaboration with contractors, can gain skills and cost-saving tips through Brick + Beam Detroit -- a one-stop network for learning,  referrals and fellowship.

Amy Elliott Bragg, president of Preservation Detroit and one of three women who founded the organization, writes about it at a preservation site:

The potential for property rehab in Detroit is huge, and the time to promote rehab as an alternative to demolition is now. But for property rehab to work as a blight-fighting strategy, people need the tools, resources, and knowledge to take on a rehab project, to get that project started, and to keep it up through the challenges they will inevitably face.

People of all backgrounds and expertise — from those who are just curious about purchasing a building in Detroit but need help figuring out what their options are. to a homeowner who is thinking about fixing up the roof but isn't sure how to navigate the permitting process — need help to jump these hurdles.

The concept earned a $87,424 grant. in partnership with the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, as one of 32 Knight Cities Challenge winners nationwide.

Four events have included a June panel discussion with three experts and a July window repair workshop at a 1920s former bank.

Bragg, whose co-founders are Emilie Evans and Victoria Byrd Olivier, describes the momentum in her blog post this week:

It really feels like we're starting to build a community, as we see familiar faces at our events or hear through the grapevine that people are doing work that Brick + Beam helped catalyze.

Beyond our monthly events, we're developing a website that will serve as a digital starting point for those interested in property rehab -- with a resource library, an online Q&A forum and a map where people can share what they're working on and where. . . .

We've developed incredible partnerships as part of this project, especially with the Detroit Land Bank Authority, which is hosting us at its "lab house" in East English Village this month for a home weatherization workshop. We are also partnering with a whole host of community development organizations and neighborhood associations, and, perhaps most rewarding, with property owners all over the city.

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Read more: Preservation Leadership Forum