“A different kind of writer’s residency program.”
Write A House is a non-profit organization in Detroit (501c3 status pending) offering free houses to writers.
Write A House / Via scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net
Our mission is simple: to enliven the literary arts of Detroit by renovating homes and giving them to authors, journalists, poets, aka writers. It's like a writer-in-residence program, only in this case we're actually giving the writer the residence, forever.
The project is two-tiered. First, they plan to educate local youth through vocational training in carpentry and construction.
Through a partnership with fellow non-profit Young Detroit Builders, they'll use those skills to renovate and rehabilitate vacant homes in Detroit, the first of which will be located in "an emerging arts community" just north of Hamtramck.
Young Detroit Builders / Via facebook.com
Second, they will award at least three homes per year to low-income writers.
The writers will be chosen based on writing sample and application. Winners will live rent-free for two years (paying insurance and property taxes), after which they'll receive the deed — as long as certain terms and conditions have been met. Those conditions include finishing up the renovation, contributing content to the WAH blog, participating in local readings, and being "responsible home owners, engaged neighbors, committed city residents, and good literary citizens."
Write A House / Via scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net
