Pontiac marked a milestone this week when city officials and neighbors gathered on Ekman Street in the Harrington Hills neighborhood to celebrate the 100th home repaired under the city’s home repair program.

Mayor Tim Grimel said the program — funded in part with American Rescue Plan Act dollars — has now completed 100 homes and will continue, with “more than a 100 left to go.” He called the accomplishment “a major milestone” in efforts to help long-term homeowners remain in safe, habitable houses and to revitalize neighborhoods.

The program’s housing development specialist, Matthew Turner Reed, who oversees intake and day-to-day operations, said, “We have met the momentous milestone of 100 homes completed.” Reed thanked Economic Development Manager Deborah Younger, building inspector Aaron Hardcastle and contractors for their roles in delivering repairs.

Officials described work performed on the featured house for homeowner Maurice Gay as repairs to the carport, a moved fence, a replaced roof and other modifications intended to make the home safer and to help Gay age in place. An unnamed speaker at the event noted Gay’s military service.

Council President Mike McGinnis and Councilman William Parker praised the program for investing in residents and neighborhoods and emphasized the focus on older homeowners on fixed incomes who otherwise might struggle to maintain homes. Parker thanked neighborhood volunteers and the Harrington Hills Association for participating in outreach and support.

Contractor Kimberly Dobson of Bellman Shores and other contractors were acknowledged as the “heartbeat of the program,” and city staff were credited with coordinating funds and awards for work across the city. City officials said the program was launched in part using American Rescue Plan Act funds; the mayor described those funds in the remarks as “tens of millions of dollars” allocated to various city priorities and initiatives.

Homeowner Maurice Gay offered a personal reflection on the repairs and on local history, saying he was grateful and would “never forget this day.” Gay noted memories of Saginaw Street running through downtown and welcomed steps officials said are planned to revitalize Pontiac’s commercial corridors.

No formal votes or policy changes were recorded during the ceremony. City officials framed the event as recognition of a program milestone and reaffirmed plans to continue repairing houses across the city.

City officials said the home repair program remains active and the next procedural steps are to continue intake and scheduling for the more than 100 additional homes that the city plans to repair.