Detroit targets 1,000 new homes by 2031

Detroit plans to construct 1,000 new homes by 2031. The city will pursue this goal by building 250 structures each year over the next four years. Mayor Mary Sheffield announced the initiative, known as Project 1000, on October 28, 2026, from a vacant parcel in the Northwest Goldberg Neighborhood.

Sheffield noted that Detroit has experienced population growth for three consecutive years. She stated that the city must rehabilitate existing housing and build new units to meet rising demand. "This means we are now creating places where families can grow, build wealth and create lasting memories right here in the city of Detroit," she said.

The project requires the city to reform its zoning codes. Officials will create specific layouts for new homes to speed up the permitting process. This approach aims to make construction easier and less expensive for developers.

The city will also bundle vacant lots together. This strategy expands opportunities for building single-family homes, duplexes, and other housing types on parcels with reduced lot-size requirements.

Marcelle Todd, director of the Detroit city planning commission, explained the regulatory changes. "By lowering these standards, we will be able to allow developers to go through a shortened approval process," Todd said. The city will put all government departments behind developers to facilitate these new housing options.

Sheffield stood alongside housing officials, city council members, developers, and local residents during the announcement. These groups will participate in the new initiative.