Forever Home Project
Preserving What Shouldn’t Be Lost
Some homes aren’t just properties. They’re pieces of history. And once they’re gone — they’re gone for good.
Where this started
One house changed everything
In 2017, Chris Hubel purchased his first home — a historic property in Pontiac’s Franklin Boulevard Historic District.
It wasn’t perfect. It needed work. But beneath it all was something rare: craftsmanship, character, and a story that hadn’t been erased yet.
Restoring that home became something bigger than real estate. It became a process of rebuilding — not just the house, but life itself.
That experience became the foundation for everything that followed.
The problem
We’re losing these homes
Across Michigan — and across the country — historic homes are being neglected, stripped, or demolished entirely.
Not because they don’t matter. But because restoring them takes time, resources, and a different kind of commitment.
Every year, more of these homes disappear. And with them, the craftsmanship, the stories, and the connection to the people who lived there.
Once they’re gone, they don’t come back.
The solution
The Forever Home Project
A long-term initiative to acquire, preserve, and protect historically significant homes — and keep their stories alive.
Acquire
Identify homes at risk and acquire them before they’re lost to neglect or demolition.
Preserve
Stabilize and restore these homes with respect for their original architecture and materials.
Share
Open these homes to the public, document their stories, and create spaces that educate and inspire.
The vision
More than restoration
The goal isn’t just to fix homes. It’s to create something lasting.
A network of preserved properties. Living museums. Spaces where people can experience history — not just read about it.
Each home becomes part of a larger story. One that connects architecture, people, and place across generations.
