Employees of the Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford Health System and Wayne State University can receive incentives for living near their workplace in Midtown, thanks to a new "Live Midtown" program announced by the University Cultural Center Association. The three institutions employ nearly 30,000 workers and organizers hope to boost the economic impact in Midtown with more residents. A total of $1.2 million in funding has been allocated to the program for a pilot year, with DMC, Henry Ford and WSU each investing $200,000. Matches have come from the Hudson-Webber Foundation, the Kresge Foundation and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The incentives range from a $20,000 forgivable loan toward buying a primary residence or $25,000 over five years, to $5,000 matching funds for exterior home improvement projects and $1,000 for existing renters who renew leases and $2,500 for new renters the first year, plus $1,000 a second year.
