Veterans Renovate Too
A paid pathway into the skilled trades — where veterans rebuild Detroit homes while building certified careers and veteran-owned businesses.
Veterans Renovate Too!™
A registered program of Metro Detroit Housing Service (MDHS) — veterans training veterans in the skilled trades, one Detroit home at a time.
Hands-on instruction on real veteran home projects
Cohorts run 12 weeks with classroom instruction, jobsite rotations, and certification testing.
- Carpentry and framing
- Electrical fundamentals
- HVAC basics
- Drywall and finishing
- Painting and surface prep
- Flooring installation
- Construction management
- Entrepreneurship and small business development
Apprenticeships
Placement into registered apprenticeships with union and independent partners.
Certifications
OSHA 10/30, lead-safe renovation, and trade-specific credentials.
Career placement
Resume support, interview prep, and direct introductions to hiring contractors.
Employer partnerships
Regional builders and suppliers who commit to interviewing every graduate.
Veteran-owned businesses
Licensing guidance, bidding support, and mentorship for new owners.
Stipends & tools
Paid training hours plus a starter tool set at graduation.
From training cohort to crew lead
Completed the carpentry track, earned OSHA 30, and now leads a four-person remodeling crew.
Moved from the flooring track into project coordination for accessibility builds.
Launched a licensed veteran-owned drywall company serving three counties.
Join Veterans Renovate Too
Applications for the next cohort are open. No prior construction experience required.