Property speculators have wreaked havoc on Detroit over the last decade. Some of the effects are easy to see: blighted properties that fall apart bit by bit for years. Some are easy to feel: historic buildings that sit vacant. Others are easy to measure, like lost tax revenue and publicly funded demolitions on a scale unrivaled anywhere else in the country.
Housing
Posted inHousing
Dennis Kefallinos: Detroit’s most notorious speculator
He may be one of the most well-known speculators in Detroit, but he’s hardly alone. Tax overassessments by the city and no-holds-barred policies by Wayne County contributed to the foreclosure of tens of thousands of Detroit properties, which were sold at bargain-basement prices to basically anybody.
Posted inHousing, Jobs & Economic Development
Commentary: For new immigrants and refugees, Detroit offers opportunities, resources to thrive
Hamissi Mamba, who arrived as a refugee to Detroit in 2015, is giving back to the city’s newest residents through Freedom House, jobs.
Posted inHealth and Welfare, Housing
Why Michigan’s largest federal housing voucher program is frozen
Michigan’s largest rental assistance program, formerly known as Section 8, remains on hold. About 85,000 applicants are on the waiting list.
Posted inHousing
Detroit property tax relief program deadline moved up to Nov. 1
In previous years, Detroiters had until December to sign up for Detroit’s Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) to see a partial or full reduction in their current year property taxes.
Posted inHousing, Jobs & Economic Development
Report: More Black Detroiters got home loans since 2018
Takeaways from a new Detroit Future City report on why Detroit needs to grow its middle class.
Posted inHousing
Mayor Duggan, council members pitch new plan to finance affordable housing
The Fast Track PILOT ordinance pitched by Duggan and council members would offer property tax cuts to developers based on rent prices.
Posted inHealth and Welfare, Housing
‘Peak numbers of refugees’: Metro Detroit agencies prepare to help resettle families
Finding available and affordable housing options for refugees coming to Michigan is a major hurdle for refugee resettlement agencies.
Posted inCivic and Community Information, Housing
Detroiters share frustrations over ‘fragmented’ system for housing help
Panelists of BridgeDetroit’s Community Conversation on housing and home repair urged residents to be vocal and visible about the resources they need.
Posted inHousing
Detroit releases 5-year roadmap to improve homelessness. Read the plan
Detroit needs to add more emergency shelter beds and ramp up pathways for people to get into housing, according to a plan to address homelessness.