Detroit People’s Platform Media Statement
October 8, 2024
Concerns: draft Fast Track PILOT
Detroit People’s Platform have several concerns about the draft Fast Track PILOT housing ordinance encouraging "affordable" housing.
Detroit, October 8, 2024 - Detroit People’s Platform have several deep concerns about the draft Fast Track PILOT housing ordinance which supposedly encourages "affordable" housing, but we worry will end up creating housing that is NOT affordable to over half of Detroiters who make less than $37,000 per year. Our concerns are as follows.
- The incentive structure encourages but does not guarantee that units will be priced for the lowest income brackets, where the greatest need for affordable housing is in Detroit.
- The only regulation that is cut by this "fast track" is to cut out City Council approval- and public input. Residents and their elected representatives are not "red tape" to cut through- we are a vital part of local democracy and should have input on how our tax dollars are spent on housing built in our neighborhoods.
- There is no guarantee that units will be built with more than studio or one-bedroom capacity or that any of them will be accessible. We need housing for families and households with special accommodation needs.
- The ordinance limits the capacity of the units to 6 people. Our families, regardless of their size or how many generations live in the same household, deserve quality, affordable, accessible, housing.
Detroit has lost over 100,000 Black residents in the past 10 years. This ordinance, as drafted, could push out more households. We must build and invest to meet the housing crisis that we witness before us. We are concerned the draft Fast Track PILOT may fail to do so.
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The Detroit People’s Platform works for REAL Community Benefit Agreements, advocates and organizes for truly affordable housing and public transit that responds to the needs of Detroiters. https://linktr.ee/detroitpeoples