Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield Meets with U.S. HUD Secretary Scott Turner at Marygrove Conservancy to Discuss Housing Priorities
Sheffield commits to working across the aisle with both parties to protect every Detroiter’s access to safe, quality and affordable housing
DETROIT – Today, Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield met with Scott Turner, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), at the Rise Higher Detroit transition headquarters at Marygrove Conservancy. The mayor-elect expressed her interest in working with the current administration to preserve and create more affordable housing in Detroit. She also emphasized her desire to partner with HUD to ensure housing for Detroit’s most vulnerable citizens.
“I’d like to thank Secretary Turner for taking the time to come to Marygrove and the opportunity to share my vision with respect to affordable housing in Detroit,” Mayor Elect Sheffield said. “I’ve spent my entire career advocating for strong neighborhoods that contain diverse housing options for every Detroiter, from transitional to affordable to market rate. As Detroit’s next mayor, my first priority is to ensure our city has the resources we need to improve the quality of life for all Detroiters, to expand housing opportunities for renters and new homeowners, and to build on the progress we’ve made as a city over the past decade. I will continue to work with our partners on the state and federal level, Democrats and Republicans, to ensure Detroit can rise higher.”
Throughout her entire career, Mayor-elect Sheffield has been committed to ensuring every Detroiter has access to safe, quality and affordable housing. She made homeownership a pillar of her campaign, including a desire to expand programs like down payment assistance. Housing was a cornerstone of her campaign and will be a central focus of her administration.
Last month, Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield announced the formation of 18 policy committees to support the Rise Higher Detroit transition effort, including the Housing Development & Planning Committee, Neighborhood Revitalization Committee and the Health, Human Services, Homelessness & Poverty Solutions Committee. These committees will help the mayor-elect develop policies and strategies to strengthen Detroit’s diverse neighborhoods, address homelessness, reduce poverty and create and preserve affordable housing. Sheffield’s administration will also introduce two cabinet-level positions: Chief of Housing, Planning, Workforce and Economic Development and Chief of Neighborhood Economic Development and Small Business.
About Rise Higher Detroit
Rise Higher Detroit, the official transition initiative of Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, aims to be the boldest and most inclusive engagement effort in Detroit’s history. The transition will help develop an official Transition Action Plan—a roadmap that reflects the voices, values, and aspirations of Detroiters. Together, we will help Mayor-Elect Sheffield realize her vision of an administration built on the voices and priorities of the people.
No public or campaign dollars are being used to fund the activities of the Rise Higher Detroit transition committee. The Mayor-elect and Detroit’s philanthropic community have collaborated to create a fund, established at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and supported by a variety of foundations and other civic institutions, to fund transition efforts, including community engagement and talent acquisition.