Key Points
- A nearly 100-year-old Southwest Detroit home, which has housed generations of one family, needed critical repairs to remain safe and livable.
- Habitat for Humanity Detroit provided energy-efficient windows, lighting upgrades, and a basement drainage solution through its Critical Home Repair program.
- The repairs, supported by Marathon Petroleum, allow the homeowner to stay rooted in her family home and community.
For Annette Wornum, her home in Southwest Detroit isn’t just a house – it’s her life story.
“I’m 59 years old, and I’ve lived here 59 years,” Wornum said. “I was born in this house. All eight of us were.”
The nearly 100-year-old home has sheltered generations of Wornums, serving as a gathering place filled with memories, family milestones and resilience. Today, Wornum still lives there with her sister Paulette in the home their parents bought, determined to remain in the neighborhood she has always called home.
But like many historic homes, time took its toll. Aging windows let in cold air, lights needed replacing and heavy rains caused water to flood the basement. With limited resources and rising costs, making critical repairs on her own wasn’t an option.
For Wornum, the repairs mean more than comfort. They mean staying rooted in her family’s legacy.
That’s when Habitat for Humanity Detroit stepped in.
“I knew the home needed some upgrades, and I applied for help,” Wornum said. “When they finally called, they came out, assessed what I needed and worked with me the whole way. It was nice. I really appreciate what they do for the community.”
Through Habitat Detroit’s Critical Home Repair program, Wornum received eight new energy efficient windows, updated lighting on the stairwell and front porch, and a new basement drainage solution to prevent flooding.
“Before, the windows were over 30 years old. Air was coming through, and some wouldn’t even stay up,” she said. “Windows are expensive. That was something I really needed.”
The work was made possible through funding support from Marathon Petroleum, which supports Habitat Detroit’s aim to improve housing stability and quality of life.
“At MPC, our community investment strategy is centered around strengthening communities and helping make people’s lives better,” said BreAnna Lockhart, Community Relations Representative for Marathon Petroleum. “We are committed to making our communities stronger, safer and thriving places to live and work.”
For Wornum, the repairs mean more than comfort. They mean staying rooted in her family’s legacy.
“This house has been here for a long time, and it’s not going anywhere,” she said. “It’s paid for. It’s home. Why would I leave?”
Thanks to Habitat for Humanity’s dedication and Marathon Petroleum’s support, Wornum’s home is ready to carry her family’s story forward for generations to come.