Detroit's growth is bringing much-needed housing to the city, but with it comes resistance from some residents. A proposal to convert a vacant office building into affordable apartments in Boston-Edison has sparked controversy, with two neighbors objecting to the development on grounds that it will lead to increased parking congestion and "blight."
Their concerns are unfounded, as the surrounding street parking is rarely occupied, and the area already has established apartment complexes. Kyle Scannell, one of the objectors, claims he would not have bought his home if he knew the building behind it was planned for apartments, but he had chosen to purchase a property in an R5 zone, which is designated for multi-unit dwellings.
Carole Hall's argument that these developments transfer wealth from long-time residents to developers is also a misrepresentation. The real issue is that wealthy homeowners are trying to stifle affordable housing options for those who need them. These tactics are not unique to Detroit; they're often employed in affluent neighborhoods nationwide.
As someone living nearby, it's clear that while there have been some growing pains with new developments, they shouldn't give residents the right to veto others' ability to live in their community. The obstacles faced by affordable housing seekers should be a catalyst for change, not a reason to halt progress altogether.
Detroit can ill afford these obstructionist tactics now; its population recovery is fragile and relies on adding more homes and apartments where residents can thrive. A stronger tax base would help fund city services, ensuring that all residents have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Their concerns are unfounded, as the surrounding street parking is rarely occupied, and the area already has established apartment complexes. Kyle Scannell, one of the objectors, claims he would not have bought his home if he knew the building behind it was planned for apartments, but he had chosen to purchase a property in an R5 zone, which is designated for multi-unit dwellings.
Carole Hall's argument that these developments transfer wealth from long-time residents to developers is also a misrepresentation. The real issue is that wealthy homeowners are trying to stifle affordable housing options for those who need them. These tactics are not unique to Detroit; they're often employed in affluent neighborhoods nationwide.
As someone living nearby, it's clear that while there have been some growing pains with new developments, they shouldn't give residents the right to veto others' ability to live in their community. The obstacles faced by affordable housing seekers should be a catalyst for change, not a reason to halt progress altogether.
Detroit can ill afford these obstructionist tactics now; its population recovery is fragile and relies on adding more homes and apartments where residents can thrive. A stronger tax base would help fund city services, ensuring that all residents have access to the resources they need to succeed.
like isn't it their right to live in a community with others who can afford to pay more rent? 
idk why they're worried about parking congestion when the street is already empty most of the time... and carole's point that wealthy homeowners are trying to limit affordable housing options for regular people makes total sense to me 
it's just not fair to everyone. I think detroit needs more homes and apartments for low-income families, especially since their population is recovering from a tough past few decades... 
, but we can't let that stop progress. We need more diversity and options in our communities, not less 
- it's like, we need affordable housing options ASAP! these wealthy homeowners trying to stifle progress is just ridiculous 
. Detroit needs more homes for people to live in, not less. and yeah, let's be real, the obstacles faced by affordable housing seekers are just an excuse to keep the status quo 
.
. And let's not forget, the people who need affordable housing the most are the ones who can't afford to even think about living there, you feel? So instead of trying to block progress, we should be working towards making sure everyone's got access to a roof over their head 
I feel you, it's so frustrating when people try to block progress just because they don't want to see change in their community. Like, can't we all just get along and focus on making sure everyone has a safe place to call home? 
The fact that these wealthy homeowners are trying to hold back affordable housing options is just not fair to the people who really need it. It's like, they're not thinking about the bigger picture or the future of their community. And let's be real, Detroit can't keep going backwards when it comes to growth and development 
. We need to support those who are working towards creating more homes and apartments, not hinder them with obstacles and biases 