A monthly recap of key discussions, resolutions, and community voices — with a focus on what matters for Detroit residents, including those with disabilities.

January was a packed month at Detroit City Council. I attended the City Council Formal meetings held on Tuesdays, as well as a couple more that covered grants and budgeting. I saw council members, city staff, and residents tackle everything from immigration enforcement and homelessness funding to the city budget process and winter emergency services. Here is a summary of what came up and why it matters.

Immigration, ICE, and Sanctuary Status (January 13)

The January 13th session was dominated by community members speaking out on ICE enforcement and calling on Detroit to adopt sanctuary city status. The public testimony was intense and consistent across three themes:

• Anti-ICE sentiment was widespread. Residents called ICE officers “slave catchers” and “kidnappers” and noted that 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025.
• BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) and anti-war sentiment related to Israel and South America was raised by several community organizations, including Detroit Jews for Justice, the Detroit Anti-War Committee, and the Detroit Alliance.
• Concerns about surveillance: A resident called for the removal of “Flock cameras” — part of a broader citywide surveillance network — arguing ICE is using them to track and detain residents. This concern resurfaced multiple times throughout the month.

Council members showed signs of movement. Notably CM Gabriela Ramirez explicitly supported “Know Your Rights” programming. D4 CM Latisha Johnson and Pro Tem Coleman A. Young III indicated readiness to act—showing how much public pressure makes a difference in local politics.

One tension worth noting: some Black Detroiters expressed frustration that the city’s focus on immigrant communities has come at the expense of addressing the needs of long-term Black residents. This divide surfaced many times across the month.

A note on disability: Fear of ICE has caused some residents to avoid seeking medical care — a pattern that can lead to preventable health conditions and long-term disability. The intersection between immigration policy and public health deserves more attention.

Homelessness Funding and Services (January 20)

A separate January 20th session focused specifically on grant funding for homelessness solutions in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. This is one of the more operational meetings of the month — relevant to anyone working in or with the nonprofit sector.

Key takeaways:

• Detroit has a Continuum of Care (CoC) system. All referrals and services flow through the CAM (Coordinated Access Model). Anyone navigating homelessness services should start there as bypassing it creates complications.
• Disability is officially part of the definition of chronic homelessness. A person experiencing homelessness for one year or more AND living with a disability qualifies as chronically homeless — making them eligible for specific programs.
• Grants are reimbursement-based. Nonprofits provide services first and then apply for reimbursement. This means organizations need upfront financial stability to participate.
• The next federal grant application round (ESG/CDBG, $2.5M per funding source) opens in January 2027.
• Housing or emergency resource hotline: (866) 313-2520 — available 24/7 for Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park residents.

City Council Formal Session — Resolutions and Community Voices (January 20)

The formal January 20th Council session covered a wide range of resolutions. A few highlights:

• Detroit’s Immigration Task Force was continued, with a mandate to create a more inclusive city and advocate for immigrant communities.
• A Neighborhood Enterprise Zone application was approved for 9301 Oakland Avenue, creating 10 affordable rental units.
• The city approved a $3 million contract for tree trimming and removal on public streets — work that can improve walkability and safety for residents, including those with disabilities.
• City Council settled multiple lawsuits against Detroit police officers and DDOT, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars — a reminder that when the city spends money on lawsuit settlements, that money is not going to services.
• Seniors and residents with disabilities who need assistance during snowstorms can call 313-224-4415.

Public comments echoed January 13th themes — surveillance cameras, transportation failures (DDOT buses leaving residents stranded in the cold), and calls for property tax reform. Several residents noted that $600 million in overpaid property taxes from 2009 has never been accounted for.

Budget Training and Upcoming Opportunities (January 24)

A budget training session led by GM Santiago-Romero’s team walked attendees through how Detroit’s city budget works — and how residents can engage with it. This is a rare opportunity for community members to actually influence how city money is spent.

Key dates to know:

• February 13: Revenue Estimating Conference (sets the fiscal foundation for the budget)
• February 25 (target): Budget calendar release
• March 9: Mayor presents the budget
• March 11–31: Public budget hearings (this is when community voices matter most)

Residents were encouraged to use the Mayoral survey and Budget Priorities Forum to weigh in on priorities. Watch D6 CM Santiago-Romero’s newsletter for links. And if you have specific service gaps — around accessibility, transportation, housing — now is the time to document them and prepare public comments for the March hearings.

Winter Emergency Services and Key Resolutions (January 27)

The January 27th session opened with a focus on the city’s response to dangerously cold weather. Here is what is in place:

• Call (866) 313-2520 at any hour for emergency housing, shelter, warming centers, transportation, or welfare checks. The city is receiving 30–40 after-hours calls per night.
• Recreation centers are being activated as backup shelters. Faith-based organizations may also be called on.
• Detroit has a contract with Checker Cab to provide transportation for residents needing to access services.

Resolutions worth watching:

• CM Latisha Johnson submitted a memo to establish an Equitable Development Task Force — an important venue for addressing displacement and community benefits.
• CM Mary Waters requested a legal opinion on whether members of the Tenant Rights Commission can be paid stipends — relevant to anyone following accessible housing policy.
• CM Angela Whitfield Calloway called for a moratorium on natural gas and electricity shutoffs during winter — a measure that would directly protect vulnerable residents.
• CM Gabriela Santiago-Romero submitted a memo requesting information about the city’s laws and implementation of accessible public restrooms — a step toward ADA compliance in public spaces.
• CRIO is responsible for monitoring Community Benefits Agreements. The Detroit Land Bank Authority’s Q2 FY26 report was discussed — worth reviewing for accessible housing data.

The Bottom Line

January was a month of urgency — extreme cold, federal immigration enforcement, community frustration over surveillance and unaccounted tax dollars, and real policy windows opening up in housing, accessibility, and the city budget.

For residents, especially those with disabilities or other vulnerabilities, the most important takeaways are: know the emergency hotline (866-313-2520), engage with the budget process before March hearings, and pay attention to the policy conversations around housing, transportation, and surveillance that directly shape daily life in Detroit.

I’ll continue tracking these sessions monthly. If you have questions or want to get involved, reach out.