Overview
- Detroit’s Land Bank inventory has dropped to 942 homes, with 240 slated for demolition within six months and 702 expected to be sold for renovation in 2026.
- The initiative unfolded in two phases: 18,701 demolitions and 9,043 sales under the federal Hardest Hit Fund, then 8,277 demolitions and 10,037 sales under voter‑approved Proposal N.
- City‑ordered testing flagged contaminated backfill at multiple sites, including 33 of 41 Gayanga locations failing residential standards; Gayanga and owner Brian McKinney are suspended.
- Soil from Iron Horse was used at 424 sites, the company was suspended as a backfill source, and EGLE is overseeing a state review as Detroit police probe potential fraud.
- The city reports contaminated soil has been removed from dozens of properties and has set aside $15 million in Proposal N closeout funds for cleanup and contractor reimbursement.