DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – The city of Detroit is reviewing a proposal to spend $3.2 million originally given for emergency pandemic relief in 2021 to fix the roofs of low-income residents.
The Detroit City Council reviewed an extension of two contracts with private contractors to provide the roofing labor at its July 22 meeting. Each contract was worth $1.63 million.
The work has until June 2026 to be completed.
In March 2021, the country faced a “deep economic crisis” due to the pandemic when Congress introduced the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The goal, according to the White House, was to deliver “immediate economic relief to families” as well as businesses.
Detroit has been using that money for home improvements for its lowest-income residents. Detroit had spent $30 million the city approved in ARPA funds as well as $15 million from the state of Michigan earmarked for home improvements.
According to one study, Detroit residents needed up to $4 billion in home repairs.