Meet Our Donors: Will Epps IV Shares Passion for Affordable Living

Will Epps IV experienced what it means to have unstable housing as a child growing up in Flint. Today, affordable housing is a passion he pursues in his work in real estate as an operations executive at McKinley and as founder of The Beetle Project, a real estate holding company dedicated to sustainable housing and philanthropy in Washtenaw County. Will also volunteers at his church and other local nonprofits, including service as secretary on the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation Board of Directors.

“Affordable housing is directly tied to stable housing,” says Will. “Stable housing is directly tied to a child’s ability to get a decent education, which allows them to support themselves and to contribute to their society. It helps break that generational cycle of poverty.”

For older adults, Will says affordable housing is essential. “Affordable housing becomes even more critical for low-income older adults who are such a vulnerable part of our population. My connection with the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation takes the passion I have always had and has helped enlighten me on the impact of affordable housing for older adults.”

Will notes, “In the next ten years, the number of people 65 years or older will increase by 50%. That’s got to be a wake-up call, a siren for us to get seriously into action.” He says it has been “eye-opening” to learn what Brio Living Services is doing to serve “our most economically vulnerable older adults,” including Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and affordable living, even Benevolent Care for older adults who outlive their savings. “They are on an equal footing and deserve the same attention and care,” says Will.

He adds, “I am thrilled to be an ambassador for the Foundation and Brio Living Services and to advocate for affordable living opportunities for older adults through my contacts with local leaders and state representatives. I serve on the Foundation Board because it lines up with my core purpose: to serve others for the glory of God. This role allows me to do just that and learn a lot along the way.”

You can help support affordable living and Benevolent Care for the older adults we serve. Contact the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation to learn more.