City has programmed over $500M of its $827M ARPA Funds; launches new website detailing status of each initiative

City has programmed over $500M of its $827M ARPA Funds; launches new website detailing status of each initiative

• Over 60% of City's ARPA-funded initiatives being implemented or undergoing final approvals prior to implementation
• City seeks to set standard of transparency on ARPA spending with launch of comprehensive website at detroitmi.gov/ARPA
• Residents can track status of 81 ARPA initiatives, find job & contracting opportunities

The City of Detroit has completed programming and begun implementation for programs representing $530 million of its $827 million awarded under the federal America Rescue Plan Act.  To provide full transparency to the public of its programs and progress, the City has launched its new ARPA website, www.detroitmi.gov/ARPA.

Officials from departments across city government have been moving swiftly to design approved programs, complete compliance reviews, and implement more than 80 individual initiatives from 15 spending categories approved by the City Council in late June of 2021.  The city has until December 31, 2024, to obligate its ARPA funds.

Programs already being implemented include the Skills for Life job training program, Renew Detroit Home Repair program, a basement flooding protection program, Community Health Corps funding, foreclosure prevention outreach, and funding toward the renovation of historic Lee Plaza to be used as affordable housing for Detroiters.  Dozens of other initiatives for neighborhood beautification and investment, expanding internet access for residents, enhancing public safety and more are currently going through final review prior to implementation.

Detroiters can stay updated, Take Part in APRA investment

To keep Detroiters fully informed of the progress of this historic investment in the city and its residents, Detroit’s new robust American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) website, “How Detroit’s ARPA funds are being spent” is now live at www.detroitmi.gov/ARPA.  The site is designed to give up-to-date information on all things ARPA including detailed spending in the 15 appropriated categories, ARPA job opportunities, featured ARPA programs, and the unique stories about the impact on Detroiters and neighborhoods.

“We started with the most comprehensive community engagement process of any city to develop our spending priorities and now we are going to be the most transparent city in terms of how we are spending this money and the status of each initiative,” said Mayor Duggan. “There is tremendous opportunity being created to benefit Detroiters in a number of ways and this website can be a roadmap to find it.”

Also, the Detroit ARPA website is a #TakePart component where residents can find information about community meetings, job opportunities and can sign-up for special alerts. To expand opportunities for Detroit businesses, the site shares supplier details including approved and pending ARPA contracts, and information on how to register as a supplier along with a portal of the latest bid opportunities with the City. Also added are important documents such as the quarterly report to the U.S. Treasury.

In June 2021, City Council appropriated the $826.7 million in ARPA funds in collaboration with the Duggan administration and in conjunction with the priorities of the community to be used across the 15 categories. Some of the appropriated areas are Neighborhood Beautification, Parks, Recreation and Culture, Public Safety, Intergenerational Poverty, Digital Divide, and Small Business.

Launched ARPA programs include:

• $2.4 Million Basement Back-up Protection pilot (February 2022) New program to prevent residential basement flooding
• $7 Million Lee Plaza announcement (February 2022) Restoration of historic City asset to increase affordable housing options for senior citizens
• $15 Million Community Health Corps Expansion (November 2021) Major expansion of supportive and social services for eligible Detroiters in need across the City
• $75 Million Skills for Life (November 2021) Paid career training, GED completion, and skills development for Detroiters while working to beautify the City
• $30 Million Renew Detroit (October ) Roof repair for thousands of eligible homeowners who are either senior citizens or persons of any age with a disability

ARPA programs forthcoming (Partial List):

• Neighborhood Beautification Grants (Spring 2022)
• Blight Remediation (Spring 2022)
• ACE Arts Alley Initiative (Spring 2022) (Community Engagement Spring/Summer 2022)
• Learn to Earn Expansion (Spring 2022)
• Recreation Centers (Spring/Summer 2022)
• Detroit Fire Department Ladder 30 Facility (Spring 2022)
• Joe Louis Greenway (Spring )
• Neighborhood Signs (Fall 2022)
• Police Department Shot Spotter Expansion (Summer 2022)

The new ARPA website detroitmi.gov/ARPA will be updated weekly.

Sample website images below;