Looking to dive deeper? These links will take you to summaries of research, best practices, and resources about key topics related to housing in Detroit.
Demolitions in Detroit are an important topic related to housing due to the large increase in demolitions starting in 2014. Demolitions can impact a number of issues including blight, property values, community health, and more.
According to the City of Detroit’s Demolition Program, as of 2019 over 20,000 structures have been demolished, over 21,000 have been boarded up, and over 8,000 rehabbed.
In addition to demolitions, almost 14,000 sidelots have been sold.
The Detroit Health Department’s Taskforce on Demolitions and Health recommendations focus on reducing exposures and the potential health impacts associated with lead dispersion during demolitions....
This report examines demolition ordinances and best practices in cities to help prevent lead contamination. In particular the paper explores sources of lead exposure, health effects of lead exposure, and city-led demolition programs. While the focus...
This report profiles Detroit and eight other cities and their approaches for addressing asthma and lead triggers in private rental housing. It also details actions that should be taken in these situations....
This report predicts the costs of deconstruction as an alternative demolition method in Michigan. The authors utilized artificial intelligence to compare traditional demolition to deconstruction and find that deconstruction can be less expensive, esp...
This document outlines a basic curriculum for organizations to build skills training and workforce development programs through completing deconstruction projects....
This two page flyer highlights the potential value of using deconstruction methods....
This brief focuses on redevelopment efforts in Detroit and examines how the City looked to Baltimore to develop responsible demolition protocols and deconstruction practices that both protected the environment and spurred job growth....
This research paper examines the relations between the creation of social capital, the redevelopment of the built environment, the utilization of sustainable development practices, and community-based organizations in distressed communities. It highl...
This task force plan identifies steps the city should take to begin targeted demolitions in neighborhoods to aid stabilization and improvement....
his research paper analyzes the costs and benefits of Detroit’s investment in demolishing residential housing. The paper estimates a positive impact on nearby property value but note a declining return on investment in demolitions over the last 50 ye...
This report examines the impact of restoring blighted vacant land on crime, violence, and perceptions of fear and safety in US cities. It found that improving vacant and blighted land increases perceptions of safety as well as actual physical safety...
This research paper investigates the impact of demolitions on firearms violence and drug crime in Detroit. It found that five demolitions in a block group were related to an 11% reduction in firearm results, but there was no relationship to drug cri...
This research paper explores the impact of demolitions between 2010 and 2014 on neighborhood crime in Detroit. The paper found that increased concentrations of demolitions are related to a decrease in total crime, violent crime, and property crime....
Utilizing a times series dataset from 2011 to 2015, this paper examines the impact of the Hardest Hit Funds Blight Elimination Program on single-family home values in Detroit. It finds that the implementation of demolitions in the Hardest Hit Fund Z...