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Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How Detroit mayoral candidates say they'd ramp up affordable housing, tackle homelessness
Housing took center stage as mayoral candidates shared their vision — and plans — to tackle an issue Detroiters say is top of mind. Six mayoral hopefuls answered questions about how to build housing Detroiters can afford, attract funding for services and strengthen the city's homelessness response system. Homelessness increased 16% from 2023 to 2024, according to one-night counts of people experiencing homelessness in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park that take place every January. Homelessness has many root causes, from mental health challenges to substance abuse, but experts have long pointed to housing as a central hurdle. To fully meet the need of people estimated to experience homelessness in Detroit a year, the city's homelessness response system needs to add at least 275 emergency shelter beds and 870 units of permanent supportive housing, according to a five-year plan released last year by the city of Detroit and its partners. Earlier this year, the city's homeless response system was under scrutiny after two children died while living unhoused in a van and city officials revealed that their mother had contacted city and county services several times prior to the siblings' death. Mayor Mike Duggan released a seven-point plan to improve access to services for the unhoused following the tragedy, including expanding night outreach teams. The forum, organized by a coalition of social service agencies, took place at the Central United Methodist Church in Detroit, home to Noah at Central, a nonprofit helping people experiencing homelessness. Participants included Mary Sheffield, Saunteel Jenkins, Fred Durhal III, DaNetta Simpson, Jonathan Barlow and write-in candidate Rogelio Landin. All Detroit mayoral candidates were invited. Zara Northover, a business consultant and founder of the Moving in Faith brand, and Andrew Stein, president and CEO of the Children's Foundation, moderated the discussion. Here are the top takeaways: More: Here's who is running for Detroit mayor in the 2025 election The homelessness response system Candidates said they'd prioritize homelessness services in the budget and take steps to prevent housing instability in the first place. "Some people are homeless because of addiction issues. Some people are homeless because they lost their jobs. Some people are homeless because of domestic violence issues and mental health issues and we have to address those root causes that led to homelessness in the first place. And then on the other end make sure that there is quality, affordable, appropriate housing for every one of those demographics," said Jenkins, former Detroit City Council president and CEO of the nonprofit Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW). Council Member Durhal called for an expansion of the Coordinated Assessment Model, or CAM, which directs people facing homelessness to shelter and other housing resources in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. "We do have a CAM system now that has lower wait times but sometimes the wait times are still long. We still hear folks say that when they call the CAM system that they are told that there are not enough beds," Durhal said. There's a need for more domestic violence shelters, connecting veterans with services and reaching unhoused children, he said. Simpson, a three-time mayoral candidate, said she'd create a taskforce that meets with people who are facing homelessness and find out why they are unhoused. City Council President Sheffield said prevention is key and touted the initiatives, such as the right to counsel program providing lawyers for families facing eviction, that she's pushed. Building 'truly affordable' housing Durhal said there's a difference between low-income housing and affordable housing, between 60% to 80% of the area median income (AMI), a regional measure set by the federal government to determine housing affordability. "There are not enough vouchers that are accessible to our folks here in the city of Detroit. ... We need more vouchers," Durhal said, to provide low-income housing. At the same time, there's a need to build housing, too, he said, and cited the so-called PILOT Fast Track ordinance, which passed last year to speed up development by offering property tax cuts to developers based on rent prices. In response to a moderator's question on how candidates would build affordable housing for those at 30% of the area median income and below, Landin said "we've gotta build it," but said "this is not a quick fix." Simpson said she'd forge relationships with people with lower incomes, who need affordable housing, and landlords, to gauge how far they can reduce rents. Homeowners also struggle to afford repairs, she said. Partnering with nonprofits, churches Candidates said they'd collaborate with faith-based organizations and nonprofits to bolster housing development. Jenkins said she'd use "affordable housing bonds" to ensure there's an inventory of affordable housing and work with nonprofits and the faith-based communities. Sheffield discussed a "community anchor plan" — partnering with nonprofits and churches to provide access to capital and technical assistance to develop neighborhoods. More: How a scrappy Google map tries to fill the gaps in Detroit homeless services Attracting new funding for services, housing Durhal said he'd prioritize funding by looking at the root causes of homelessness, whether that is mental health or substance abuse. He suggested expanding services at the city's health department and the housing and revitalization department. Said Jenkins: "What we have to have is a leader who is willing, able and has a track record of fighting to bring resources to the city of Detroit and to the agencies on the ground." Resources for low-income Detroiters, unhoused students Candidates addressed how they'd bring together different groups and institutions, from law enforcement and nonprofits to hospitals and developers, to support low-income Detroiters with complex needs. Sheffield said she'd create a homeless family and services department with wraparound services in one place. Simpson said she'd ensure police officers are trained to handle encounters with people experiencing mental illnesses. Businessman Barlow said coordination starts with leadership and said there are overlooked communities. "The LGBTQ+ community continues to suffer because of being unwelcome in their homes," Barlow said. Asked how they would better support students experiencing homelessness, candidates said they'd partner with schools to provide basic services, such as housing, and place counselors in schools. Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@ Follow her on X: @NushratR. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit mayoral candidates talk affordable housing, homelessness Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jim Sumner Jim Sumner passed away at the age of 83 on April
May 10—Jim Sumner Jim Sumner passed away at the age of 83 on April 29th, 2025. He was born and raised in Albuquerque, graduating from Albuquerque High in 1959. He attended UNM as a freshman and went to work as a machinist apprentice for Santa Fe Railroad. He was drafted into the US Army in 1964 and served active duty for several years. Jim moved into the 4153rd Army Reserve unit and retired with over thirty years of service and the rank of CW4. Upon returning to Albuquerque from active duty, he resumed work for Santa Fe Railroad at the shops downtown. He was involved with the centralized work equipment — designing, building and servicing the maintenance of way equipment. When the shops closed, Jim supervised the MOW territory from Albuquerque to Needles, California and then worked in the Operations Center in Schaumburg, Illinois where he retired shortly after the BNSF merger. Jim was a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America for over twenty years holding many positions in the EVM district and Troop 134. He was awarded the Silver Beaver in 2008 by the Great Southwest Council, the highest award bestowed to a volunteer for distinguished service by a council. Jim was an active and lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church, serving on many committees, the board of the thrift shop and as Lay Leader. He enjoyed the fellowship of its members and made many friends along the way. His hobbies included woodworking, metalworking and reading. He loved traveling to new places, taking cruises with his wife and going on off-road adventures with his son. Jim was very resourceful and could fix, repair or build almost anything. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, JC and Blanche Sumner. Jim is survived by his wife, Eileen; son, Brian and several cousins. Services will be held at Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd NE Albuquerque NM 87106, on Saturday May 17th, 2025 at 10AM. Contributions in Jim's memory may be made to Central United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fairmont church lets visitors walk through the 'Journey to the Cross'
FAIRMONT, (WBOY) — Central United Methodist Church celebrated Easter in a unique way by putting up an exhibit in their gymnasium. 'Journey to the Cross' allowed viewers to walk-through the church's homemade recreations of key moments in the Bible, such as the Garden of Gethsemane, the crucifixion and the resurrection. The church hopes the display causes viewers to be moved and reflect. This is the third year the church is put on the display. Sunny Moore, the Music Director of Central United Methodist Church, told 12 News more about the event and its significance. Thinking about getting a live animal as an Easter gift? Clarksburg animal rescue says think twice 'It's actually my favorite part of Easter,' Moore said. 'It's just a way to have a hands on experience of what Jesus's last few days on earth before he died was like.' Moore explained that viewers get to feel the 30 pieces of silver Judas was given, see the crown of thorns, and walk into the empty tomb. Moore went on to say, 'Most importantly is the end where he did rise from the dead, and we can live in that victory every day.' The exhibit was open on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. If you missed it, you might be able to catch it the next couple of days before it is taken down. The church also plans on putting on the display next year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
