Storms and flooding devastated Detroit in August 2023, leaving many homes, neighborhoods, and communities grappling with the aftermath. More than a year later, a significant step toward recovery has been made. The federal government has allocated $460.8 million in disaster recovery and prevention funds to Michigan, with $346.8 million designated for Detroit. This funding, announced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides an opportunity to address critical infrastructure issues that have plagued the city for decades.
Detroit’s share of the funding will go toward fixing failing alley sewer lines and drains, which have caused thousands of basement backups during storms. Mayor Mike Duggan described the issue in stark terms during a press conference with local and federal officials.
“We’ve got a sewer system built to handle four inches of rain in a 24-hour period, which was great through the 20th century,” Duggan said. “We’ve now had two incidents where it’s been five and a half and six inches of rain, and what happens then is the basements in this city back up. It is devastating to go downstairs and find three or four feet of raw sewage in your basement, lose your furnace, lose your dryer, lose your belongings.”
The funding comes as a relief to residents who have endured the costly and hazardous consequences of an aging infrastructure. Detroit has 1,800 miles of alley sewer lines connected to homes, most installed between 70 and 90 years ago. Over time, tree roots have infiltrated these lines, causing blockages that exacerbate the problem even during moderate rainfall. Neighborhoods such as Cornerstone Village, North Rosedale Park, and the North End have been especially impacted. Mayor Duggan acknowledged that without federal support, addressing these issues would have been impossible.
“We couldn’t possibly have the resources to address this on our own,” he said. “This is an opportunity to make the homes in this city much more secure. It’s going to take years to rebuild, but this is a huge jump start.”
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) has been working to mitigate the damage caused by storms and flooding. In 2024, the department cleaned 622 miles of sewer lines and serviced 8,000 catch basins. DWSD Chief Operating Officer Sam Smalley highlighted the department’s ongoing commitment to infrastructure improvements, noting that $50 million is invested annually in cleaning, replacing, and inspecting the city’s sewer system. However, the HUD funding will enable a much more comprehensive response.
HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program provides the funds. This program focuses on helping low- and moderate-income communities recover from severe weather events that are not fully covered by insurance or other federal assistance. The funding addresses critical needs, including the replacement of damaged affordable housing, repair and upgrade of roads, water systems, and utilities, support for small businesses, and measures to reduce future disaster risks.
Detroit’s allocation comes from nearly $12 billion in CDBG-DR funds distributed to communities across the country impacted by disasters. Michigan’s portion specifically addresses the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that prompted a disaster declaration by President Joe Biden for nine counties in the state. In Detroit, the funds will be used to fix old alley sewer lines and drains, prevent future basement backups, and construct new flood-resilient affordable housing.
City officials have 120 days to create an action plan detailing how the funding will be used. Community engagement will play a central role in shaping this plan, with residents invited to provide feedback through a series of events. Mayor Duggan stressed the importance of transparency and resident input in ensuring the funds are used effectively. The city’s grant proposal will then be submitted to HUD for approval before moving to Detroit City Council for final authorization.
Duggan emphasized that the funding must address long-term challenges. “The funding has guidelines for how it can be used. In this case, the money can be used to prevent future disasters,” he said. For Detroit, this means tackling the root causes of flooding and improving the city’s ability to withstand increasingly severe weather events.
HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs Kera Package spoke to the broader impact of the funding. “While no two disasters are alike, whether it’s devastating wildfires out West, tornadoes and flooding in the Midwest, or hurricanes along the east coast and in the Gulf, people whose lives are impacted have the same needs,” she said. “They’re looking for a safe and secure place to come home and hope for the future.”
The 2023 storms underscored the urgent need for investment in Detroit’s infrastructure. Flooding and basement backups have left many residents grappling with financial losses, health hazards, and emotional distress. For years, Detroit’s aging sewer system has struggled to keep pace with the demands of a changing climate. The HUD funding represents a critical opportunity to address these systemic issues and improve the city’s resilience.
Detroit’s plan includes fixing alley sewer lines to prevent backups in 10,000 homes over two years and constructing affordable housing designed to withstand future flooding. Officials believe these efforts will provide immediate relief while also laying the foundation for long-term improvements. Residents can find more information about the city’s recovery plans and upcoming engagement events at bit.ly/DetroitDisasterRecovery.
Detroiters have long endured the compounded effects of climate change and neglected infrastructure, but this moment carries a promise for real change. The HUD funding represents more than a financial commitment. It is an acknowledgment of Detroit’s unique challenges and the resilience of its people. Moving forward, the success of this effort depends on transparent decision-making and a continued partnership between city officials and the residents they serve. Detroit now has the resources to address its vulnerabilities and invest in a future where every resident’s home is protected from the devastation of storms. The road ahead will not be easy, but with a focus on equity and sustainable solutions, this funding has the potential to transform Detroit into a city that is better prepared, stronger, and more secure for generations to come.
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