One thing that’s missing from her budget proposal is any mention of participatory budgeting – something that Sheffield often championed during her 12 years serving on the City Council.
The Conversation
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Posted inGuest Commentary, Health and Welfare, Housing
Commentary: Housing First helps people find permanent homes in Detroit − but HUD plans to divert funds to short‑term solutions
In November 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development revised how it would allocate funding through its flagship homelessness program, the Continuum of Care.
Posted inGuest Commentary, Police & Public Safety
Why ICE’s body camera policies make the videos unlikely to improve accountability and transparency
ICE’s use of body cameras could improve the agency’s legitimacy in the eyes of the public. But there’s a risk that camera footage may obscure actual events.
Posted inJobs & Economic Development
Has Little Caesars Arena boosted economic activity in Detroit? We looked at hotel and short-term rental industry data to find out
A persistent debate on the benefits of sport venues to local economies is taking place at the same time public officials continue to commit substantial resources toward them.
Posted inEducation, Political and Public Policy Information
Schools are increasingly telling students they must put their phones away – Ohio’s example shows mixed results following new bans
An educational administration professor surveyed 13 Ohio public school principals from rural, urban and suburban districts about cell phone restrictions. Here are the findings.
Posted inGuest Commentary, Health and Welfare
Innovations in asthma care can improve the health of Detroiters living with this chronic disease
Michiganders would benefit from raising their awareness of asthma, not just because asthma is common here but because our environment is changing fast.
Posted inGuest Commentary, Health and Welfare
Hard-earned lessons from Detroit on how to protect the safety net for community partners in research
A WSU researcher shares the story of how a project participation stipend paid to Detroiters in HUD housing inadvertently triggered an increase in their rent.
Posted inHousing
Nearly half of Detroit seniors spend at least 30% of their income on housing costs − even as real estate values fall
The poverty rate of senior-headed households in Detroit is nearly twice as high as the rate statewide.
Posted inPolice & Public Safety
ICE killing of driver in Minneapolis involved tactics many police departments warn against − but not ICE itself
In the case of ICE, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, its policy on shooting at moving vehicles – unlike that of many police agencies – lacks a clear instruction for officers to get out of the way of moving vehicles where feasible.
Posted inHealth and Welfare
How one Florida program reduced preterm births – and how it could serve as a model for other communities
The program does early screening for risk factors of preterm birth using Florida’s Healthy Start prenatal risk screen at the pregnant person’s first prenatal visit.