Detroit's Affordable Housing Crisis Exacerbated by Accessibility Shortcomings

Strategic Insights -

Detroit's housing crisis is critical, but a severe lack of accessible options for people with disabilities is a ticking time bomb. A recent study by the city's housing department, in collaboration with Detroit Disability Power and The Kelsey, highlights the dire need for affordable housing that meets the needs of residents with disabilities. The study reveals that around 1 in 5 Detroiters have disabilities, and they earn significantly less than their counterparts without disabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • A staggering 1 in 5 Detroiters (20.5%) have disabilities, with mobility and cognitive impairments being the most common.
  • People with disabilities earn a median of $23,400 in 2023, nearly $10,000 less than those without disabilities.
  • More than half of residents with disabilities surveyed said their homes didn't meet their needs, citing long waitlists, application fees, and credit score issues as obstacles.
  • Only around 700 units out of 10,216 regulated affordable housing units in Detroit are accessible for residents with mobility, hearing, or visual disabilities.
  • Federal and local rules dictate some accessibility musts but don't cover all needs or provide useful guidance.
  • The Fair Housing Act requires basic accessibility for buildings with four or more units, but Detroit's privately owned single-family homes are exempt from these standards.

Statistics:

  • 20.5% of Detroiters have disabilities (2023 census estimates cited in the study).
  • Median income for people with disabilities in Detroit: $23,400 (2023).
  • Difference in median income between people with and without disabilities: $9,944.
  • Number of multifamily units built before 1990 Fair Housing Act accessibility requirements: 93% of Detroit's total.
  • Number of regulated affordable housing units built after 1990: 10,216.
  • Number of units accessible for residents with disabilities: around 700 (out of 10,216 regulated units).

Sources:

  • (https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2025-08/Housing%20Accessibility%20Report%20%28August%202025%29.pdf)
  • (https://www.detroitdisabilitypower.org/)
  • (https://thekelsey.org/)
  • (https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/AG-2025/6-88_Federal-Housing-Protections-for-People-with-Disabilities.pdf)
  • (https://www.equalhousing.org/fair-housing-topics/new-construction-fair-housing-accessibility-requirements/)
  • (https://shelterforce.org/2023/06/12/which-u-s-laws-require-accessibility-in-housing-and-how-well-do-they-do/)
  • (https://thekelsey.org/design/)
  • (https://detroitmi.gov/news/detroit-home-accessibility-program-provide-crucial-modifications-detroiters-living-disabilities)
  • (https://www.nlc.org/article/2023/08/17/housing-for-individuals-with-disabilities/)
  • (https://outliermedia.org/detroit-accessible-housing-shortage/)