DHC, Board of Commissioners
Detroit Housing Commission1301 E Jefferson Ave Detroit, MI 48207 (Directions)
Detroit Housing Commission Main Office
Check https://www.dhcmi.org for meeting notice with Zoom and agenda links.
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
New commissioner Donald Rencher is sworn into office. Commissioners attempt to mediate a clash between different groups of resident leaders at the Villages of Parkside.
Good Morning! Today at 10a EST I will provide LIVE coverage of today’s Detroit Housing Commission (board of commissioners) meeting on behalf of the @detdocumenters.bsky.social. Follow me at @detroitjcs.bsky.social for more public meetings coverage.
I’ll refer to this meeting as the DHC.
08:47 AM Jun 26, 2025 CDT
For today’s meeting you may dial in by Zoom. Email jacksont@dhcmi.org for public comments. Learn about this meeting and find the agenda and meeting notice here - dhhttps://dhcmi.org/regular-board-meeting-june-2025
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Running about 5 minutes late, according to the speaker.
Should be starting soon. It’s 10:01 a.m.
Established in 1933, the DHC mission is to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for low and moderate-income people as one of the largest owners of rental housing in the City, providing approximately 4,000 housing units for seniors and families according to its website
New commissioner Donald Rencher is here and there is a quorum. He is taking the oath of the commission now citing the Michigan Housing Facilities Act.
The DHC is governed by a 5-member Board of Commissioners, with at least 1 member a resident of public or subsidized housing; others are mayoral appointees.
Minutes from 5-22-2025 being approved, along with the agenda. Unanimous, no discussion.
Public comments for agenda action items begins. There is a 2nd public comment later.
3 minute comment period.
Resolution -08 has begun as there were no public commenters.
Board members consist of the following people:
• Richard Hosey, Board President
• Keona Cowan, Vice-President
• Achsah Williams, Commisioner
• Penny Bailer, Commisioner
• Aaron Seybert, Commisioner
Agenda Item:
Tenant Accounts Receivable Write-offs - Resolution No. 3308
2)Approval to Execute Revisions.
It is not “08” as I referred to it before.
There is discussion about reports coming directly from Finance and will be presented in the July 1st meeting, related to this item.
Looking for $895,000 per the Chair who said she was surprised to see “old data” in the report.
A commissioner asks if they can identify tenants older than 2 years old and are vacated tenants; these accounts go to receivables. They are moving from paper accounts to the cloud, and looking forward…
to automation, investing in IT.
These accounts go to collections.
More discussion to hone in on “true balances” and “true tenants” for a “true balance”.
Chair refers to this as “true balance clean-up”.
Authorizing write-off on A/R for two criteria: 1. Vacated tenants and 2.
- Over two years old.
They are likely to amend the motion to include the criteria for this resolution to also include a third criteria, “up to $2 million dollars”.
Back-and-forth on the final numbers discussion amongst commissioners now.
To summarize, they are attempting to get a cleaner resolution that includes accounts over 2 years old for vacated tenants and to include a balance in receivables that will include most of these accounts.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to know who is speaking outside of the speaker as names do not appear on the Zoom. Camera angle does, however, give a whole view of the room so we can see everyone there at the large conference table and those who surround it in chairs.
Discussion on more specific language to include in the resolution 3308 that the tenant is no longer a DHC tenant,
up to $1 million dollars, must be at least a year old from 6/30/2025, authorizing the DHC Director James A. Jemison to write off accounts receivables with aforementioned criteria a …
…deviation of current DHC policy. Motion approved.
Resolution 3309: Approval to Execute Revisions to theDetroit Housing Commission’sProcurement Policy now being discussed.
Some language change to be included, as well.
Speaker noted the current minimum 10 business days to advertise needs mentioned is simply too short so asked to extend it to 25-90 days.
Discussion. If the time is extended, they will not need to return to the board constantly.
Speaker says 90 days will keep day-to-day operations in check.
Commissioner says he would like to see a written/visual report to see trends on procurement changes so the board can better make a decision (versus listening to an oral report). He says it helps them with understanding the request.
Speaker agreed. This resolution refers to contracts …
…that go through the procurement process (the DHC procurement policy). Vendors bid for DHC contracts and more time is needed to get this done.
More discussion.
The solicitation part of the procurement process is being discussed, as well as the minimum and maximum time periods are to be included in the resolution so that they are in concert with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) policy and the DHC budget.
Procurement process includes solicitation/advertising, Q&A, waiting on responses, reviewing RFQs, and coming to board of commissioners for items in excess of $250K for the purposes of this resolution.
More discussion on language to be included.
Motion made for resolution 3309 to be amended to modify procurement process with “extensions up to 90 days only”.
Motion (finally) approved, unanimous.
Resolution 3310: Approval to Execute Change Order #3 for Additional Funding to Contract#4027 with Michigan Consulting & Environmental for Ongoing Environmental Services.
Soil testing after EGLE remediation with annual reporting costs of $500K and $280K to get lab results @michiganegle.bsky.social
Cleaning up site from 2017 and next final phase is vapor testing (i.e. radon) so they want to include the total costs, rather than piecemeal.
$1,250,000 - $1,260,000 is the estimate for (soil) lab testing. “It may go over $250,000” says the Chair. 284 samples must be taken during testing.
Resolution 3310 is approved after discussion; unanimous.
Resolution 3311: Approval to Execute a Section 18 Disposition of 14 Vacant Scattered Sites Properties is being presented at this time. Occupied properties.
July-August, will seek approval for MOU with DLBA.
More about section 18 - https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/Section%2018%20Overview%20.pdf
Commissioners are asking questions…
-
Is MOU to sell properties through the MOU an ongoing or perpetual agreement, or something that is less permanent (limited by time)
-
Properties are vacant over 21 months
-
Properties where tenants are involved. Working with Rocket Mortgage, a local co.
Discussion to sell properties to DHC tenants first or to ensure access to finance for renovations; 2 year vacant properties.
Site walks were done on each property and some capital property improvements were seen to be already started.
General stds for low-income buyers, then will sell AS-IS.
Requesting down payment assistance and other capital improvement projects for (new) homeowners.
DHC-owned properties being sold to low-income buyers. Asking about taxes! FINALLY…someone who gets it.
Must address ongoing tax obligations.
Hopefully they will consider NEZ and other tax subsidies.
Discussing discounts and programs to assist low-income and 1st time buyers to address these shortcomings.
Lovely!😀
BTW, NEZ is the neighborhood enterprise zone, a federal/state zone of properties given a tax break for a specified period of time.
Here, it’s a state law. More on NEZ here - https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/property/exemptions/nez/neighborhood-enterprise-zone-nez-act
Currently discussing Rocket Fund support letter for an initiative and an update is expected in August 2025.
Resolution 3311 approved after discussion; unanimous.
Resolution 3312 up!
Approval to Execute a Contract with Home Depot for a Roof Replacement at the DHC Warehouse at 221 1Orleans within the Detroit Housing Commission Portfolio.
Leakage in roof there (disrepair).
Want to bring the property at 2211 Orleans (Detroit) operational where it currently stores “documents and other materials”. Must be secured first.
“It is a beautiful building” in its heyday. Improvements must be done.
Building dimensions discussed are that it is 20,000 sq ft. Found in packet not yet provided but will be in the report section of Detroit Documenters reporting once we retrieve it.
Commissioner asks if DHC has a document retention policy; they do. Discussion refers to paperwork that may be stored at this location (2211 Orleans) that may have fell into disrepair.
Resolution approved; unanimous.
On to resolution 3313.
Resolution 3313: Approval to Execute Change Order #3 for Additional Funding to Contract#3085 with Visions Consultants, LLC for an Extension of Construction Management Services within DHC Portfolio.
Discussion on clean up for construction management and transformations.
1 more resolution, then an information item and departmental reports follows this discussion and the 2nd public comment period follows that.
Meeting with Home Depot next week. More discussion on this resolution by commissioners.
Resolution 3313 approved unanimously.
3314: Approval to Execute Change Order #1 for Additional Funding in the amount of $416,389.17 with Home Depot for the Complete Unit Modernization of Sixteen Units at Sojourner Truth Homes.
Need to update the contract.
Discussing unforseen circumstances and whether or not these will need to be identified in the resolution, along with lessons learned as identified by the Chair.
Presenter says they are duplicating repairs and improvements in the townhome units, some with crawl spaces, some with basements.
3rd party inspections are identified as helping DHC avoid costly improvements and repairs.
Tenants can expect inspections of their properties. Seems very paternalistic and may be unnecessary for ALL tenants.
What an invasion of privacy IMHO.
Discussion of original supplier (HD Supplies), expanding scope of work, and changes to the contract in this resolution.
Commissioner asks what is the broader DHC strategy. Good question.
Vendor ideas will be included as a stop-gap measure.
More discussion.
Here’s an old article (2023) about Sojourner Truth homes from @outliermedia.org - https://outliermedia.org/sojourner-truth-homes-detroit-historic-marker/
It was opened in 1941, originally.
Resolution 3314 approved, unanimously.
Public comments section has opened…
Let’s see what we get!
Well, now they are talking again lol.
How many residents are on SNAP with a 30% cut to the program expected from Washington D.C.?
It is a valid question. More on possible cuts to SNAP (food stamp program) here - https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/house-reconciliation-bill-proposes-deepest-snap-cut-in-history-would-take
Board does not seem to have statistics on SNAP residents at this time.
Wonder if monthly reports will address this.
Going to general public comments at this time. It is 11:46 a.m. and they are late on the agenda.
Commissioner is discussing community facilities at Villages at Parkside Homes.
Month-to-month lease continued through May 2025. In late 2024, residents held an election to create a resident council. In January, there were 5 council members selected to have an MOU, memo of understanding (list of demands). DHC goal is to have these councils at each DHC public housing.
DHC terminated leases and advocated for space (room) for the resident council at Parkside.
Commissioner asked how terminations occurred. Termination 5/5/2025 expired 6/2025. $1 lease terms. Tenants advocate thru the resident council and DHC says they want residents to have space/room to advocate.
Curious as to whether or not there are bylaws for the resident council and how involved DHC is in terms of selection. Not (yet) mentioned.
Discussion of space. DHC is the landlord/lease holder. MOU designates specific office space to the resident council at Parkside. Who has legal status?
This is a 3rd party lease, as discussed by the commissioners.
Asking if they can co-exist: tenants and the resident council. Wonder what are criteria for the resident councils?🤔
DHC shared information with all residents of Parkside.
Public comment should be interesting. It’s 11:56 a.m.
Going over specifics for public comment, limited to 3 minutes.
Persons identifying groups must acknowledge the group. Can not give time to another. See website for specifics - https://dhcmi.org
- Detroit People’s Platform are asking about how DHC is positioning itself at properties (as it relates to resident councils) and leveraging/retaining properties now being identified as being sold instead? In response to climate control, are energy efficient solutions being considered for costs?
A: DHC says they will continue the sell vs. keep strategy as the most efficient way to get homes rehabbed for affordability and home ownership. Does not want “trapped HUD zones” in the City of Detroit.
A: DHC says they are keeping properties geothermal acquisitions like solar panels to keep costs down but these costs can not be returned to tenants, by law.
More on that later after research.
Discussion of lowered carbon footprint.
Q: What is the best way for those interested in becoming residents to get into properties?
A: It is publicly announced in newspapers and the DHC website - https://dhcmi.org
Last speaker was in-person. This speaker identified as Barbara Hobson is on Zoom.
Technical difficulties getting her on…It is 12:06 p.m.
Kimberly Sanders, Friends of Parkside (FOP) says there are 9 rooms that they occupy. Resident council has asked for classrooms 1 and 2 where community engagement occurs. In written form, FOP asked that they use the “old” space but there was never a “No” to the resident council (RC).
Mrs. Sanders is discussing the current tense relations at FOP. RC speaks for the residents and are now petitioning online (65 online, 50-60 in writing) but wants to ensure that DHC listens to the FOP community. She believes they are a “village” and are stronger together. To be respectful, according
…to her, they protested before the meeting. Police were called and she says they were not disruptive. She is emotional about this internal fighting at Parkside and tells her experience in tears, wanting DHC to know about what is going on.
Says FOP was asked to leave.
She describes the work of FOP as a labor of love.
DHC says a person speaking for a group is given more time so that time is expired and they do not directly respond to her.
Roshaunda Moore represents Villages of Parkside and is the next speaker.
Mrs. Moore represents FOP and explains the youth activities to the DHC board of commissioners. She will be given 5 minutes, as well. Individual commenters will receive 3 minutes, according to the website and it is also located on today’s meeting notice.
She says FOP is “the solution” and begs DHC not to “take them from (residents)”. She is also emotional and in tears.
DHC acknowleges her plea.
DHC questions whether the public commenters will have time/space to talk before the board.
4 speakers have been identified as waiting to speak.
Sorry. Missed speaker name. Asking if FOP will be allowed to remain at Parkside?
A: “Thank you very much”.
Doreen Wade is up next. Hope the spelling of names are correct.
Speaker’s audio is getting louder now. Could barely hear her earlier. Said “Zachary Row” has been there (not sure who/what that is) but they do after school care and other activities for families and the community of Parkside.
DHC responds that there is a resolution that FOP will operate at this space and the resident council will, as well. Acknowledges the DHC will need to know what each side needs in terms of space, time, daily needs, etc. to resolve the conflict. Resident council is the official body, according to DHC.
It would be helpful if board members were recognizable, either by technology (name on screen) or the website (images). Neither are available today.
A bald male commissioner is speaking but I don’t know his name.
DHC expresses they want to help residents work together and compromise, and they will help create this amicable climate.
DHC says that they must see “statistics of operations” at the Villages of Parkside to ensure everyone gets what they need and the leaders btwn the 2 groups must agree.
Now that the $1 month-to-month lease is over, DHC says that they would like to see the 2 groups work together and compromise.
Letta is the next speaker and discusses compromise with the board. She is not a current resident of Parkside but has family there now.
Discussion of access to space and timing compromise for space availability.
DHC says this problem must be solved soon to accomodate programs and services already in effect at Parkside.
New speaker (not identified by name) says FOP has been there 30 years!
Speaker says there is also a Parkside Historical Society and asks the board “Why fix something that isn’t broke?”.
Wants to pass the torch from “continuing legacy” started in 1969.
Speaker says FOP serves all, with or without funding.
Zachary Rowe is now speaking. It is 12:40 p.m.
Mr. Rowe of FOP says he is speechless and humble about the former speakers on behalf of the organization.
He believes there is a way forward and believes there has been misinterpretation of events and sharing space with the RC.
He explains FOP has grants and responsibilities that include using spaces that exist at the homes.
He says he is unsure if FOP can use space for COMMUNITY GARDENING and recently received a grant awarded to restart a FOOD program there.
DHC responds…
DHC says they need the business case and other information to come up with a resolution between FOP and RC.
Speaker is elected president of the RC and believes what is happening is “bullying”. She believes RC are being bullied even though they are elected by and from the residents by FOP.
She says this (conflict) is about “control” and “silenting voices that won’t be swayed”. Believes there is only “chaos…not advocacy”. Says RC still does not have office space at Parkside today. They have been in office since January 2025 and they know their assignments.
“It should be about the people” she says. “We need clarity. We need order. We need space…”. Read her statement.
DHC responds and asks for cooperation and cordial relations between the RC and FOP.
DHC says they will be there actively to organize the space and be sure people have the space they need to work at Parkside, concurrently and cordially.
Mrs. Hayword/Haywood (sp?) is up next.
Mrs. Haywood lives with her Mother at Parkside and were some of the 1st occupants at the new location. Wants to retain FOP on-site, as they provide significant services to residents, including those for her family. They received helpful solutions to various problems through the FOP and believes …
…a resolution of cohabitation can be found to see the community “grow and move forward.”
Last speaker, Robin. It is 12:54 p.m.
Robin agrees that there is some truth with every (public) speaker’s words and has been at Parkside for 5 years.
FOP is good for residents; RC has full-time jobs. Wonders if they will provide same resource and advocacy as FOP. Asks if RC has adequate qualifications to do the work they are tasked.
Says parades and other groups have been outside her home but no one has addressed the noise and gatherings.
Says 6-7 people did the vote for FOP when there are families numbering over 100 there; notes only 56 signatures on the petition.
Angie is identified as another speaker. Works with Parkside as Resident Council staff/member. Working with a resident whose lease expired in March (year?).
Believed his lease could be terminated. Kicked out RC. Javonda was president at the time. RC was ran by Mrs. Rowe. Javonda was kicked out.
Discussing internal emails and images she received from Javonda and conflicts with FOP. Notifying board that the staff at Parkside did not support a RC at all, despite what was previously discussed today. Notified board FOP were not residents of Parkside. Said Mr. Rowe has not supported RC.
She says Mr. Rowe has sabotaged every effort of the RC and has mislead residents. Says actions of the FOP should be investigated.
DHC says they will get “what you need” for compromise and resolution of the two groups at Parkside and to share their (collective) views.
Tenant representation is the legally prescribed body of residents, according to a commissioner. He cites HUD.
More on that here - https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/public-housing/resident-toolkit/public-housing-resident-organizing-and-participation-guides/organizing-and-running-resident-councils/
Commissioner says that the residents need to “get rid of past grievances” and the RC are elected. He asks for coordination and expects a compromise of good faith.
Recognizes they “owe it to the residents” to get this together.
Believes more coordination is better (than what is going on now).
Guidance from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will likely be used to address this at Parkside.
It is informative and should help. Uncertain if it addresses an existing resident group already on the property and their conflicts with control, programs, and services.
Motion to adjourn supported and passed at 1:13 p.m.
This meeting has ended!
⛔IMPORTANT⛔ If you believe anything in this coverage is inaccurate, please email 📩 documenters@outliermedia.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
In this meeting a quorum was held and commissioners approved all resolutions. 2nd public comment was lively, including members of the resident council and Friends of Parkside, who are jockeying for control of space and authority at the homes. HUD has a toolkit on the formation of resident councils.
This concludes my live reporting ✍️💻for the public meeting of the 🏘️Detroit Housing Commission on July 26, 2025. For more Detroit public meetings coverage, check out www.documenthttps://www.documenters.orgor joining us today!😄
Attachments
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Agency Information
Detroit Housing Commission
In 1933, the City of Detroit established the Detroit Housing Commission (“DHC”) under the Michigan Housing Facilities Act. Throughout the DHC’s 75 year history, our mission has been to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for the low and moderate-income people that we serve. DHC is the largest owner of rental housing in the City of Detroit (“City”), providing approximately 4,000 housing units for seniors and families.