We are grateful for our housing team and the work they do, day in and day out, helping Detroit homeowners and renters in need. 

 Rebecca Nikodem, as JEI’s Housing & Neighborhood Services Coordinator, is a member of our Housing and Neighborhood Services Team. She is responsible for co-managing the organization’s intake process for the City of Detroit’s 0% Interest Home Repair Loan program. Her work on this program has aided JEI in earning its status as one of the top-performing Intake Centers in Detroit, securing over 1.5 million in home repair loan dollars to help Detroit homeowners. 

Since joining the JEI Team in 2015, Rebecca’s dedication, strong work ethic, and passion for helping others has made her a welcomed asset to the organization. Extending her reach into the community, her professional training and hands-on experiences are vast. Much of her work is centered on helping to keep Detroiters in their homes. Whether it’s connecting homeowners to home repair programs, helping homeowners apply for property tax assistance, or building climate resiliency through supporting homeowners in improving their energy efficiency and emergency preparedness, Rebecca is making a difference by cultivating better access to resources.

“We are committed to serving the community, especially our neighbors on the lower east side of the Jefferson corridor. We extend our hearts and services because we care about people, and we love our community. Though we have been able to make significant strides, the need is still great. Often we encounter insufficient resources to meet all the needs of the people, but we do our best to connect residents to resources that can help them. Our job is never done, but I’m proud of our team and their dedication to the work with our programs and services. Through our combined efforts, we strive to impact our community positively.”  

 Rebecca obtained her bachelor’s degree in Urban & Regional Studies from the University of Michigan - Dearborn. She is certified in Homeownership Counseling through the NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling (NCHEC), and is currently studying for the HUD Housing Counselor Certification exam. Next spring she will begin pursuing a master's degree in Applied Data Science through the University of Michigan School of Information.

You may reach Rebecca Nikodem at rnikodem@jeffersoneast.org or by phone at (313) 314-2672. For a list of community resources to assist you through the Covid-19 pandemic, please check our Covid-19 Community Resource Directory on our website at jeffersoneast.org