Emery Bahna
Pronouns: She/her
Research Mentor(s): Ruth Johnson
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Community Development Advocates of Detroit / NonUM
Program:
Authors: Emery Bahna, Ruth Johnson
Session: Session 7: 4:40 pm – 5:30 pm
Poster: 81
Abstract
In Detroit—a community with a long history of racial and ethnic diversity—structural racism and unjust governmental policies and practices have resulted in a lack of affordable housing, an inequitable property tax system, frequent evictions, and blight. These issues are contributing to population loss, and nonprofit organizations are calling on local and state officials to advance policies that promote community development and revitalize Detroit’s vibrant neighborhoods. Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD), a nonprofit organization serving all of Detroit’s neighborhoods, advocates for public policies and resources that advance the work of other nonprofits, resident-led groups, and community organizations in Detroit who pursue community organizing, land use planning, physical development, and additional activities meant to stabilize the quality of life in the city. As a dependable resource on various policy issues, CDAD engages with its members, community partners, and local government to advocate for policies, principles, and infrastructure that build the power and effectiveness of community development and help ensure equitable development that prioritizes the needs of all Detroit residents and neighborhoods. To advance CDAD’s policy priorities related to community development, we drafted and disseminated informational materials about the Land Value Tax proposal to CDAD members and partners, refreshed the annual Policy Agenda by analyzing and synthesizing member survey data and supporting policy discussions during CDAD Caucus Meetings and member only meetings, and updated descriptions of CDAD policy priorities by drafting one-pagers for each topic. All of these tasks were completed based on the opinions and aspirations of CDAD’s many dues-paying members and Detroit residents, and they all reveal how CDAD gathers, uses, and disseminates information to community members, other organizations, and policymakers about the organization’s policy priorities and the importance of equitable development in Detroit.
