Finding Common Grounds in Eastside Detroit: Community Ownership of Land and Real Estate Developments for Affordability and Inclusive Growth

Abstract

The racialization of housing and space through historic practices including redlining and pervasive use of racially restrictive covenants, and targeted investments have contributed to segregation, a decrease in property value, economic withdrawal and blight in many Detroit neighborhoods. These issues have taken hold over a number of decades. More recently, Detroit has experienced a surge in development resulting in new construction, new residents, and an uncertain future for many existing residents. Although this renaissance has offered numerous benefits for Detroit, it also raises several concerns about gentrification and displacement and questions about who really benefits from these developments. This capstone focuses on one portion of Detroit’s Islandview and Greater Villages neighborhood, which has seen an influx of investment due to its inclusion in the City of Detroit’s Strategic Neighborhood Fund. On behalf of Common Grounds, this capstone will examine how two community ownership models, a community investment vehicle (CIV) and community land trust (CLT), can be used to preserve housing affordability and build community wealth in the Islandview and Greater Villages neighborhood. Through an analysis of current housing market trends, demographic data, an examination of CLTs and CIVs in Michigan, and data provided by the community partner, findings include recommendations for specific CIV and CLT models, funding structures and sources, and policy recommendations that can help advance the work of Common Grounds.