DETROIT – Mayor Mike Duggan joined Detroit City Council members and community partners to announce a major expansion of affordable housing in the city, made possible by the new Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Fast Track ordinance.
The announcement took place at 3045 Cortland, in the Dexter-Linwood neighborhood, where a historic vacant apartment building will soon be transformed into 34 affordable units.
This project benefits from a 95% reduction in property taxes through the PILOT program.
Since the ordinance was passed unanimously in October 2024, 2,400 affordable units have been approved citywide, representing $451 million in investment.
Additionally, 6,000 more units are currently in the pipeline, totaling $765 million in further investment.
The PILOT program has significantly shortened the tax incentive approval process, reducing timelines from up to one year to an average of less than 60 days, with a goal of 30 days.
City leaders highlighted how the PILOT ordinance is reshaping Detroit’s affordable housing landscape by making development financially feasible, accelerating project timelines, and supporting the preservation of historic buildings and existing housing.
“We felt like it was worth it to give a 95% tax break to put affordable housing in the neighborhood and save these beautiful buildings,” Duggan said. “This is happening now in neighborhood after neighborhood across the city.”