Series of Bills to Address Housing Inequality Introduced in Detroit

Detroit City Councilmember Mary Sheffield has introduced a series of bills called “The People’s Bills,” which are aimed at addressing inequalities in affordable housing, water affordability and access to jobs faced by many Detroit residents. This package of bills would include: the creation of an Affordable Housing Trust Fund; a mandate that 51 percent of those hired on publicly-funded contracts for demolition and construction are residents of Detroit; guaranteed assistance for residents that qualify for the Homeowners Property Tax Assistance Program; a proposed Homeless Bill of Rights to help those staying in temporary shelters; and the creation of an income-based water affordability plan.