Residential property assessments in Detroit are projected to increase by an average of 31 percent per neighborhood in 2021, based on the most recent sales study and analysis of property values across the city.

Mayor Mike Duggan made the announcement January 25 as the City begins mailing out its annual notices of proposed assessment changes for 2022.  The numbers, which are based on the past two years of actual market sales, mark the fifth consecutive year of growth across the city.

It’s important to note, while property values in the city have increased steadily, homeowners are protected against large property tax increases, City officials said. Under state law, the annual increase in property taxes is capped at the consumer price index (CPI) or five percent, whichever is lower, as long as ownership has not changed.

When a home sells, the cap is lifted and the taxable amount adjusts to the State Equalized Value the year following the transfer.

In addition, property owners can appeal assessments until February 22 at the Assessors Review.

To read the full story, visit the City’s website at detroitmi.gov.

Mayor, DEGC announce $500K in grants to 13 businesses in first round of Motor City Match since outset of pandemic

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) and Mayor Mike Duggan this week announced the first round of awards since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to aspiring entrepreneurs through the popular and successful Motor City Match (MCM) program.

A total of 63 winners were announced and will be receiving various forms of support from MCM, including cash grants or technical support with design, development, or planning. In Round 18, 13 business owners received cash grants totaling $500,000.

Motor City Match aims to support businesses throughout the pandemic, offering workshops and business services, and facilitating additional grant and loan support. Over the past two years, 37 Motor City Match awarded businesses have opened their doors with an additional 10 businesses expected to open before summer of this year.

Since 2020, the program has refocused its operations to meet the changing needs of businesses in a post-pandemic environment.

Additionally, the program is set to expand both the number of grants and total grant pool in coming rounds. This expansion will allow the program to reach more Detroiters with the goods and services they need in their neighborhoods.

To learn more, visit the Motor City Match website at MotorCityMatch.com

Mayor Duggan joins City, state leaders to break ground on $18M senior affordable housing project named for Rev. Holley

The Rev. Dr. Jim Holley Residences will offer 60 senior affordable housing units, and no seniors will pay more than 30 percent of their income in rent. Rendering: Hamilton Anderson Architects

Mayor Mike Duggan, City Council President Mary Sheffield and other state and City leaders joined Rev. Jim Holley and MHT Housing Inc. on Jan. 27 to break ground on an $18-million affordable housing project located across from Holley’s Historic Little Rock Baptist Church.

The development will serve as a new anchor along Woodward Avenue in the Piety Hill neighborhood, replacing a vacant building that has been demolished to make way for the new affordable housing.

The Rev. Dr. Jim Holley Residences will have 60 one-bedroom units, all designated as senior affordable housing and all of which will be offered at or below 50 percent area median income (AMI). This translates to no more than $750 a month. However, because of Section 8 project-based vouchers made available through the Detroit Housing Commission, none of the seniors will pay more than 30 percent of their monthly income in rent.

The units are for those making less than $28,000 a year, and their affordability is guaranteed for at least the next 40 years.

The press conference can be viewed in full at Mayor Press Conference Rev Jim Holley Residences

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department announced a groundbreaking commitment to opportunities and inclusion for contractors, suppliers and employees with the selection of Tiffany Jones as the first Opportunity & Inclusion Director.

In that role, Jones will develop and execute a work plan around the following areas specific to DWSD, and to support Mayor Mike Duggan’s citywide initiative to create inclusive opportunities for Detroiters and minorities.

Jones was previously the Public Affairs Director and served in that role since coming to DWSD in February 2018. Jones has more than 20 years of public relations experience.

The Detroit Police Department (DPD) announced January 24 it hired Mary Engelman as its new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Executive Manager.

Engelman comes to DPD after serving as Deputy Director and Interim Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. She will be tasked with creating a more inclusive environment, internally and externally, by improving diversity, equity, and inclusion from the Office of the Chief to patrol officers through investments in the department, community events, and more.