U-SNAP-BAC has a rich history of serving the community. The organization was formed in 1985 by residents with a collective commitment to improve the quality of life in communities through collaboration, neighborhood improvements and community cohesiveness. Through this commitment, a consortium of 11 community-based organizations on the Eastside of Detroit were drawn together to implement positive community change. The organizations were diverse in nature ranging from residents, block clubs, small businesses, neighborhood organizations, and business associations. While the members were diverse, the belief was firm; working together creates solutions to strengthen the community. 

The demand for decent affordable housing was on the fore-front of the coalition’s agenda. With the goal of preserving sound housing stock, U-SNAPBAC, Inc. was formed. In order to enhance this goal, U-SNAP-BAC Nonprofit Housing Corporation was created in 1987 for the sole purpose of neighborhood preservation through home repair and new housing development. U-SNAP-BAC’s origin is based on the belief that housing projects controlled by the community will put the interests of the neighborhood first. The objective was to provide decent, safe and affordable housing for families of low and moderate income, while broadening U-SNAP-BAC Inc.’s role as a community empowerment advocate. 

Through the years, U-SNAP-BAC, Inc.’s activities included small business services, community organizing, neighborhood beautification and homeownership education, financial literacy, and homeownership preservation counseling, while U-SNAP-BAC Nonprofit Housing Corporation focused on new construction, acquisition rehabilitation and minor home repairs for residents. The impact that U-SNAP-BAC has had on the City of Detroit is phenomenal. U-SNAP-BAC has counseled over 900 families; aided in the development of over 100 block clubs; mentored countless small businesses; facilitated dozens of workshops, townhall meetings, community forums, and neighborhood cleanup efforts, planted over 100 trees, rehabbed over 500 homes, and constructed over 130 new affordable homes; all while maintaining the mission of community cohesiveness, collaboration, and commitment.