October 24, Detroit – Detroit City Council delayed the vote on the Fast Track PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) housing ordinance in Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting. Detroit People’s Platform thanks those who brought questions and concerns to the public comments. We anticipate that the ordinance will return next Tuesday, October 29th.
Proponents of the ordinance, brought forward by Council Member Fred Durhal, claim it will streamline approval processes and offer developers with long-term tax incentives in exchange for affordability. However, the Fast Track PILOT housing ordinance faces scrutiny regarding its implementation and potential effects on the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Tuesday, Detroiters voiced many concerns with the ordinance. Some worry it may not adequately ensure affordability for those who struggle to find and afford housing, especially those earning less than $36,000 per year. Others are concerned that it may cut out necessary public input and City Council approval for housing projects. Additionally, there are questions about the types of units being built, with fears that they may not be suitable for families or individuals needing accessible accommodations.
Detroit People’s Platform has centered the failure of the ordinance to address our city’s need for racial equity. Making sure developers get rich is not racial justice, even if they are Black—especially if these developers do business like their white billionaire counterparts. Billionaires like Dan Gilbert, Tom Gores, the Ilitches and other developers who put profit over people. Detroit has lost 100,000 Black Detroiters in the last 10 years and without concessions this ordinance will do little to nothing to stop this displacement.
The Fast Track PILOT housing ordinance as written:
- Would eliminate Detroit City Council’s voice for any project that is normally eligible.
- Doesn’t target Detroiters who would benefit the most; families, disabled Detroiters, and those struggling to find and afford housing.
- Sidesteps enhanced accessibility such as universal design.
Detroiters will continue to push for concessions that address these failures in the coming week. We deserve a housing ordinance that responds to the housing crisis faced by majority Black Detroiters.
We deserve a housing ordinance that responds to the housing crisis faced by majority Black Detroiters.
The Fast Track PILOT housing ordinance fails some Detroiters, so it fails us all.
Contact City Council to let them know your thoughts on the FastTrack PILOT Ordinance.
Mary Sheffield
Council President, District 5 - City Page
313-224-4505 - @MsMarySheffield
CouncilMemberSheffield@detroitmi.gov
James Tate
President Pro Tem, District 1 - City Page
(313) 224-1027 - @CouncilmanTate
CouncilmemberTate@detroitmi.gov
Angela Whitfield-Calloway
District 2 - City Page
(313) 224-4535 -Instagram
CouncilmemberCalloway@detroitmi.gov
Scott Benson
District 3 - City Page
(313) 224-1198 - @Scottinthe3rd
bensons@detroitmi.gov
Latisha Johnson
District 4 - City Page
(313) 224-4841 - @ElectLatisha
CMLatisha.Johnson@detroitmi.gov
Gabriela Santiago-Romero
District 6 - City Page
(313) 224-2450 - @gabysantiromero
CouncilmemberGabriela@detroitmi.gov
Fred Durhal III
District 7 - City Page
313-224-2151 - @FDurhal3 @FredDurhal7
councilmemberdurhal@detroitmi.gov
Fred.Durhal@detroitmi.gov
Mary Waters
At-Large - City Page
(313) 628-2363 - @MaryWaters4Det
councilmemberwaters@detroitmi.gov
Mary.Waters@detroitmi.gov
Coleman A. Young II
At Large - City Page
(313) 224-4248 - @colemanyoung
Coleman.Young@detroitmi.gov