Higher Ground Abodes starts from a simple belief: young people deserve a stable place to grow and build their future. We make it possible for youth living at 30% of the area median income—those considered extremely low‑income—to live affordably while gaining the stability, support, and sense of community that help them move forward.

With that foundation in place, young adults can focus on building the skills, confidence, and capacity that lead to long‑term independence and self‑sufficiency.

Our Housing Approach Explained…

Higher Ground Abodes offers stable, affordable housing for young Detroiters aging out of foster care. Many of these young adults are trying to build their futures while juggling housing insecurity, limited financial resources, and a lack of consistent support.

We want young people to live in homes that feel steady, welcoming, and within reach. To support that, we use two grassroots housing models—community‑control and cooperative living—that keep costs low and community strong.

1) Community‑Controlled Housing Our nonprofit stewards the home for the long term, keeping it affordable and protected from speculation or high‑profit resale. This ensures the home remains a stable, accessible place for future young adults.

2) Cooperative Living Residents share resources and manage the home together, which lowers living costs while building a sense of ownership, responsibility, and community.

Together, these models create a housing environment where young people can focus less on surviving and more on growing—personally, academically, and professionally.

“Will the housing be run like an adult foster home or semi-independent living?”

Neither. Our home isn’t run like a semi‑independent program or an adult foster care home. We’re building something different — a place where young adults have a real voice in how the household operates and where their growth is at the center of every decision.

Residents meet with us regularly to talk through what’s working, what needs attention, and how we can shape the home together. This shared approach helps ensure their needs are met while giving them space to practice communication, problem‑solving, and everyday life skills in a supportive environment.

The goal is simple: create a home where young people feel respected, capable, and connected — a place that supports their health, stability, and long‑term independence.