Detroit‘s entertainment and event-service provider the Right Productions and the homeless-assistance program the Neighborhood Service Organization have joined forces to launch an initiative for artists experiencing homelessness.
The Tommy Garrett House was inaugurated at a ceremony held late last month. Located on the northwest side of Detroit, the building is a three-bedroom, 1,920-square-foot home, designed to offer housing and more for up to six artists. Named after the singer, songwriter and recording artist Tommy Garrett, who overcame homelessness with NSO’s support, the house “aims to foster a nurturing environment for artists to live, build stability and create work safely in the heart of Detroit,” according to the announcement.
“Sometimes you see a need and wish you had the ability to address it,” said Shahida Mausi, president and CEO of the Right Productions. “I had long wanted a way to provide housing and support services for artists of many genres. Having worked with artists for my entire career, I’ve seen the gaps in financial and mental health services in the creative community. I dreamt of a place where creative people could feel supported and cared for during difficult times. I shared my dream with Linda Little at NSO, who has the expertise to bring a dream into reality. I’m so grateful for this collaboration with NSO and the support of Maxwell and Kem, to see Tommy’s House become a reality.”
The Right Productions’ collaboration with NSO began when both entities hosted the inaugural Community of Hope concert, featuring R&B artists Maxwell and Tamia, held last July and intended to inspire a community-wide drive to address the challenges faced by the unhoused and their families in metro Detroit.
“This initiative was made possible through supporters of our Community of Hope weekend in July and embodies NSO’s commitment to meet the evolving needs of our community,” said Little. “Addressing the complex issue of homelessness is challenging. More than 1,500 people in Detroit experience homelessness on any given night. Despite nearly 6,000 households accessing housing assistance in 2022, a significant number are not officially considered homeless, but they lack access to safe and stable housing, resulting in a continuous cycle of transition. The overrepresentation of Black individuals among the homeless population, the prevalence of domestic violence and the median length of 69 days for homelessness highlight the challenge, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, long-term and affordable solutions, such as initiatives focused on permanent housing. The Tommy Garrett House was created to do just that for local artists.”
The 2nd annual Community of Hope is scheduled for Aug. 2-4, 2024, in downtown Detroit. The event will feature two evenings of inspiration and stellar performances by various musical artists, including by headliner Kem, during the Concert of Hope at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre. Additionally, on the Day of Hope, efforts will be made to connect the unhoused population in metro Detroit with community organizations that offer a comprehensive range of wraparound resources and will engage a colloquium of stakeholders.
