Why tearing down empty homes in Detroit won’t fix inequality

Summary: For decades, unfair rules like redlining kept Black families in Detroit from getting good housing. To fix this, the city has torn down about 200,000 abandoned homes since the 1970s. Policymakers thought getting rid of these empty buildings would give the city a fresh start and fix racial inequality. But author Nicholas Caverly says this massive demolition project is actually causing new problems.

Instead of helping, bulldozing old houses releases poisonous lead paint dust into the air, creating serious health and environmental risks for the neighborhood. Also, while tearing down homes makes property values go up, it makes rent and taxes too expensive for many locals to afford. The city's computer algorithms focus on increasing property values rather than creating affordable housing. To really fix the problem, Caverly says the city needs to listen to the people who live there, safely handle the toxic soil, and build community spaces rather than just knocking things down.

For more details, see Salon at salon.com/2026/03/06/why-tearing-down-empty-homes-in-detroit-wont-fix-inequality/ (opens in new tab)