In May, the American Property Owners Alliance made two impactful stops in Detroit as part of the Unlocking Opportunity Tour, which is focused on the power of homeownership to build wealth and strengthen neighborhoods.
The two events were hosted at Second Canaan Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday and The Winner’s Circle Church on Sunday. Held on opposite sides of the city, both gatherings centered on the same goal—equipping Detroiters with the insights and resources needed to begin and sustain their homeownership journey.
“We're here in Detroit because we believe homeownership is a cornerstone of the American dream,” said Colin Allen, executive director of The Alliance. “It empowers families to build wealth, strengthens local communities and creates opportunities that can be passed down from one generation to the next.”
The Alliance’s mission carries particular urgency in Michigan, where there is a 31% homeownership gap between Black and White residents. (Download NAR’s "Snapshot of Race and Home Buying in America."pdf) At the events, community leaders and housing experts gathered to discuss the role of homeownership in creating long-term financial stability and generational wealth for Black families.
Attendees heard from experts representing National Realty Centers, New American Funding, the Property Assessment Board of Review, 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit and other local organizations working directly on housing and economic mobility.
Among the experts participating in the discussion was Detroit real estate adviser Renae Johnson, who highlighted the lasting financial impact of homeownership. “For many people, a home is the largest asset they will ever purchase,” Johnson said. “A lot of people will use it to start a business or buy more investments with the equity. It's foundational.”
For many attendees, it was the first time learning about the power of homeownership, and financial experts in the room helped translate what those dollars could mean in practice: a real path to getting the keys to a first home.
In a city where homeownership remains a key priority for local leaders and community stakeholders, Detroit City Councilmember Latisha Johnson reminded attendees of what is at stake. “We want to make sure legacy Detroiters can stay and become homeowners. We [the City of Detroit] just added $10 million to the city's down payment assistance programs,” she said, underscoring the city’s ongoing commitment to expanding access.
Her remarks reflected the broader mission of the Unlocking Opportunity Tour: to unlock pathways to sustainable homeownership by equipping individuals and families with the knowledge, resources and support needed to build long-term financial stability and generational wealth.
The Alliance, one of the nation’s largest property rights advocates, continues the tour June 28 in Baltimore. See live updates on our social platforms: @OwnersAlliance on X and @propertyownersalliance on Instagram!
