It’s been a big year for Lighthouse—one marked by major milestones, from breaking ground on Auburn Place and Beacon Place to add 94 units of high-quality affordable housing in Pontiac, to beginning the long-awaited rehabilitation of Detroit’s historic Lee Plaza for new senior housing. And in recent months, that progress has accelerated in truly transformative ways. In November, we broke ground on a once-in-a-generation Pontiac campus redevelopment project that will help alleviate poverty in our community, expand affordable housing, and deliver the resources families need to thrive. 

Watch our groundbreaking video or see coverage from WXYZ and Crain’s Detroit. 

Our new campus will be a one-stop-shop for local families in need. We’ll expand our family emergency shelter from 30 to 150 beds and surround people with dignity, stability, and hope in one convenient location. 

Designed as a community anchor, the campus will offer free food access, job training, economic support, and gathering spaces to ensure that when families walk through our doors they not only find help, but a clear path forward. 

This milestone and vision would not be possible without the extraordinary support and generosity of donors, partners, and community leaders who believe in a stronger, more equitable future for Oakland County and Southeast Michigan. 

Support for Lighting the Way is coming from every corner — private donors, public partners, regional leaders, and Lighthouse board and staff — a clear sign that this campaign resonates deeply and our greater community believes in what we’re building together. 

In recent months, Lighthouse has raised $3 million toward our $40 million Lighting the Way Campaign goal. This progress is a testament to the tremendous belief in our vision and the broad coalition driving it forward. 

In October, Lighthouse was awarded our first state appropriation of $1.5M thanks to bipartisan support from representatives Donni Steele (R-District 54) and Brenda Carter (D-District 53), and State Senator Jeremy Moss’ leadership. 

“This investment ensures more families in Pontiac and across Oakland County have access to the support and stability they deserve,” said Rep. Carter. “I’m proud to ensure we have safeguards in Michigan for people experiencing poverty.” 

Demonstrating the power of individual philanthropy, Emily and Henry Ford III, supporters of Lighthouse since 2019, made a significant pledge to the campaign. “What stood out to us was the care and thought behind this work. We’re grateful to support Lighthouse’s comprehensive approach to alleviating poverty,” said Henry Ford III.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBank Indianapolis) granted $1 million to Lighthouse’s campaign as part of its broader investment in affordable housing through the Affordable Housing Program (AHP). Collectively, these grants will support 43 housing development projects across the region—with Lighthouse’s project standing out as one of just 18 funded in Michigan and the only AHP-funded project in Oakland County. 

“At its core, this investment is about people,” said Jackie Buchanan, FHLBI Board Member and President & CEO, Genisys Credit Union. “By supporting this project, we’re investing in stability, dignity, and the future of Oakland County.” 

Looking Ahead to 2026

With significant work still ahead of us, Lighthouse is entering 2026 with energy, clarity, and unstoppable momentum. The progress made this year,  and especially this quarter, moves us significantly closer to completing the campus that will serve as a beacon of hope, stability, and opportunity for families today and for generations to come.

We look forward to welcoming you to future ribbon cuttings where you can see our progress in action.

We are grateful to everyone who is making this progress possible, and we look forward to continuing this vital work in 2026. From all of us at Lighthouse, we wish you a New Year filled with hope, health, and possibility.

Join us in Lighting the Way by giving today and becoming a beacon of hope for local families in need.

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Two new affordable housing complexes are being developed in Pontiac.

“These two transformative developments represent $44.6 million investment right here in Pontiac,” Mary Riegle, Chief Philanthropy Officer of Lighthouse, said on Wednesday morning.

The Pontiac-based nonprofit broke ground on the homes during a ceremony on Wednesday (July 23) morning.

“It’s about building, stability, dignity, and opportunity while creating a future where more families can have a place to call home,” Riegle said.

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Lighthouse MI broke ground Wednesday on a 54-unit affordable housing project in Pontiac as part of $44.6 million in affordable housing investments it’s making in the city.

The post Lighthouse breaks ground on $30.6M affordable housing project in Pontiac appeared first on Lighthouse.

Genisys Credit Union announced a $600,000 commitment over the next three years to Lighthouse, a Pontiac-based nonprofit, for its “Lighting the Way” campaign.

The goal of the campaign is to expand Lighthouse’s Pontiac campus center for services and support, and affordable housing offerings, according to a press release.

“We are grateful to the wide variety of funders and supporters who are stepping up to help our community in such an extraordinary and meaningful way,” said Lighthouse CEO Ryan Hertz.

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Spring is a time of growth and renewal. At Lighthouse, it’s also time for building and construction. This season, we will break ground on several critical projects to address the affordable housing crisis in our region for low-income families and children, and expand supportive services to lift future generations out of poverty.

Read more in our Spring Newsletter:

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“Housing is often thought of [as] just a series of needs and a box to check that costs a certain amount of money in a household budget,” says Ryan Hertz, president and CEO of Lighthouse, a Pontiac-based nonprofit housing developer and housing service provider. “But it’s also the environment that influences the day-to-day life of the household and the family, the opportunities that the family faces, and how much it’s going to cost for them to get from that location to … work and school.”

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The changes were part of a massive $40.3 million renovation. The Pontiac Housing Commission and Lighthouse started planning the renovations in 2018.

The post Pontiac’s Carriage Place Renovations Nearly Done – The Oakland Press appeared first on Lighthouse.

The Pontiac-based nonprofit Lighthouse has collaborated with the Pontiac Housing Commission, which controls and manages all of Pontiac’s publicly-owned housing, to update nearly every facet imaginable of the 150,230-square-foot building’s infrastructure, including plumbing, roofs, windows, HVAC systems, landscaping, a playground and more.

The post Pontiac’s Carriage Circle development getting $40 million facelift – The Oakland Press appeared first on Lighthouse.

The Pontiac Housing Commission and nonprofit Lighthouse are teaming up on a massive rehab on Pontiac’s Carriage Circle Apartments.

The post Carriage Circle Apartments in Pontiac to get $40 million rehab project– Fox 2 Detroit appeared first on Lighthouse.