Support for small-scale Detroit real estate developers
A program called Better Buildings, Better Blocks is aimed at teaching the nuts and bolts of small-scale real estate development to Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park residents.
David Sands's Latest Articles
Resilient Neighborhoods: SW Detroit nonprofit to celebrate opening of youth-driven community center
"There are a lot of youth in Southwest Detroit that need leadership development," says Fabiola Venegas. "The space is like a second home to them. It helps them feel like, 'Yes, you can get an education after high school. Or, yes, you can do something outside for the community, like the garden."
This Detroit nonprofit is taking a novel approach to affordable housing: Landlord-occupied duplexes
Abandoned duplexes dot the Detroit landscape, and they can be harder to bring back than single-family homes. Thankfully, however, that challenge is sparking new innovative strategies.
Resilient Neighborhoods: New SW Detroit mixed use development prioritizes affordability
For Southwest Detroit residents struggling with high rents, this new development offers new possibilities.
Detroit projects by developers of color find support, funding in innovative initiative
This initiative has awarded $546,500 in grants to developers of color in Detroit since 2021.
Resilient Neighborhoods: This innovative East Side program helps older adults meet their needs
East Side Senior Program is aimed at supporting older adults on multiple fronts.
Resilient Neighborhoods: Corktown nonprofit to highlight local designers with Detroit Day of Fashion
A runway show dedicated to Detroit fashion is making its way to Corktown on Friday. Nine designers with showcase high-end looks at the event, timed in coordination with Paris Fashion Week.
Resilient Neighborhoods: New NW Detroit nonprofit director excited to focus on ‘home turf’
This Detroit nonprofit's new director is interested in expanding existing programming, 'rightsizing' zoning for his community.
Michigan’s community mental health and law enforcement agencies team up to keep people out of jail
As awareness about how policing and mental health intersect grows across the state, more Michigan counties are involving community mental health agencies in law enforcement response and diverting people who are simply experiencing symptoms of mental illness from jail.
Bringing education and enrichment to Southwest Detroit youth
When she was 12 years old, Alejandra Gomez, started participating in afterschool activities in Southwest Detroit at United Neighborhood Initiatives. Today she leads afterschool and out-of-school programming for the agency, bringing creativity, heart and expertise to her work with young people.
