April 17, 2025
Detroit Future City (DFC), the think-and-do tank focused on advancing economic equity in Detroit, released “Opportunities for the Next Mayoral Administration to Grow Detroit’s Middle Class,” a policy roadmap aimed at guiding Detroit’s next mayoral administration toward building a stronger, more equitable city.
Drawing from years of research—including DFC’s landmark reports “Making the Middle Class” and “Growing Detroit’s African American Middle Class”—the report identifies three strategic priorities for the next mayor: building middle-class neighborhoods, generating wealth for Detroiters, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure. As American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding sunsets and the city continues to navigate economic and environmental challenges, DFC’s report comes at a critical time —highlighting opportunities to sustain and accelerate progress, regardless of a change in administration.
“Detroit has made great strides over the last decade, but we are at a turning point,” said Anika Goss, DFC CEO. “With economic uncertainty ahead, this is not just a policy document – it is a call to action for candidates, voters and community leaders alike. A thriving Detroit depends on providing resources that help families build wealth, foster community stability and prepare our neighborhoods for the realities of change.”
Building Middle-Class Neighborhoods
“Opportunities for the Next Mayoral Administration to Grow Detroit’s Middle Class” urges the next administration to fully commit to becoming a middle-class city. It defines middle class as households earning between $62,000 and $155,000 annually. Currently, only 26% of Detroit households fall within this range—significantly below the regional average of 39%. DFC argues reversing this trend is essential for strengthening the city’s tax base, stabilizing neighborhoods and promoting long-term prosperity.
Policy priorities for increasing the number of middle-class neighborhoods in Detroit:
– Providing high quality educational opportunities and wraparound supports to attract and retain families with children.
– Improving housing diversity, quality and stability.
– Increasing access to affordable homeownership through down-payment assistance programs.
– Enhancing public safety through community-driven strategies and leveraging data to inform neighborhood-level safety improvements.
Generating Wealth for Detroiters
“Opportunities for the Next Mayoral Administration to Grow Detroit’s Middle Class” emphasizes wealth-building must be a central priority for the next mayoral administration because it directly addresses the city’s most pressing economic and social challenges. Building wealth from within is not just smart policy—it’s the foundation of a resilient, equitable Detroit.
Key wealth-building strategies outlined in the report include:
– Creating pathways to jobs that pay middle class wages by aligning educational and training programs with high-growth industries that employ large numbers of Black Detroiters.
– Attracting industries and employers that offer stable, middle-class wages through tax incentives and strategic development zones.
– Growing access to capital for Black- and Brown-owned businesses and investing in programs that support sustainable business growth.
– Supporting heirs’ property reform, ensuring families can retain generational homes and access critical home improvement resources.
“Our vision is for Detroit to become a city where everyone can thrive,” said Ashley Williams Clark, DFC Vice President of the Center for Equity, Engagement and Research. “That means creating and preserving generational wealth by uplifting legacy Detroiters through access to quality education, entrepreneurship, and jobs that pay middle-class wages or higher.”
Investing in Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
“Opportunities for the Next Mayoral Administration to Grow Detroit’s Middle Class” also addresses the mounting threat of climate change, particularly for Detroit’s most vulnerable communities.
The report’s policy recommendations include:
– Investing in stormwater and energy infrastructure to reduce flooding and power outages.
– Developing open space strategies to turn vacant land into valuable community amenities.
– Improving public transit, walkability, and mobility options to reduce emissions and improve quality of life.
The report underscores the importance of using data and community input to shape policy, and stresses that Detroit cannot act alone. It calls for cross-sector collaboration among government agencies, philanthropic partners, nonprofits, and community-based organizations to build lasting change.
“We know what works,” said Goss. “Now it’s about scale, coordination, and commitment. This is our opportunity to ensure that Detroiters, especially those who have historically been excluded from prosperity—are not just part of Detroit’s story, but at the center of it.”
To read the full “Opportunities for the Next Mayoral Administration to Grow Detroit’s Middle Class” report and explore DFC’s research, visit www.detroitfuturecity.com.
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