The American Dream of owning a home isn’t dead in Detroit – but it struggles under the weight of predatory lending practices, complicit landlords, real estate speculators and public officials whose interventions and policies can make the city’s complicated housing challenges even worse.

Increasing awareness of a program designed to prevent foreclosure among low-income homeowners in Detroit and making the application process easier are among the recommendations to help residents stay in their homes.

Detroit homeowners in danger of losing their homes to property tax foreclosure are not tapping into a fund that could save them.