Rental Work Group
Michael Centi Department Director, Integration at Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency shared an update on the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program. The update included a reminder of how CERA spending works, where we are in terms of spending, the recapture dates for unused funds, and lessons learned from the program so far. View the slides here.
Diane McCloskey, Executive Director of ClearCorps Detroit, shared an update on proposed changes to the City of Detroit’s Rental Ordinance. Joined by Lead Enforcement Work Group Members Mary Sue Schottenfels, Teresa Holtrop, Lyke Thompson, and Jeremy Westcott, Diane explained how the rental ordinance connects with lead safety, and why some of the proposed changes could have a negative effect on Detroiters.
Lead Advocates had concerns/objections to the proposed change that would allow for the suspension of Risk Assessments’ after a few years. This would mean that landlords would be allowed to eventually rent out their properties without any third party inspection for lead. As lead hazards and lead dust normally return (unless full abatement of the entire property is completed) this is unacceptable. View the slides here.
Homeownership Work Group
Doug Ortiz, Master of Public Policy Candidate at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and Intern for DFC’s Center of Equity Engagement and Research presented a policy brief that explores the intersection of Home Repair and Accessibility. Doug graduated from DePaul University in Chicago and worked as a Research Associate at Mathematica for two years. Doug Doug is pursuing mission-driven, community-engaged, equity-centered work in the public and nonprofit sector involving public policy and research that advances economic mobility and quality of life.
The policy brief seeks to advocate for housing equity and provide actionable recommendations to increase accessibility and home repair resources in Detroit. Doug shared a presentation outlining the high level findings in his research; keep an eye out for the full brief coming this Fall. View the slides here.
