I am personally invested in this issue as a long standing housing advocate in Detroit. Everyday, I witness the growing complexity and magnitude of the housing crisis that Detroit currently struggles with. I am writing to bring to your urgent attention the tragic and preventable deaths of Darnell Currie and Amillah Currie, the young children of Ms. Tateona Williams, a homeless Detroit resident and mother. The mere statistics paint a dire picture: Detroit's poverty rate stands at around 35.2% which is more than twice the national average, and one in every 1,598 properties is in foreclosure which is higher than the U.S. average (U.S. Census Bureau; RealtyTrac).

Grassroots organizations are the backbone of our local response, understanding the unique needs and challenges our Detroit community faces. They are best equipped to develop innovative, sustainable solutions to our housing crisis. However, the limited resources, funding, and support hamper the capacity of these organizations to effectively address this critical issue.

Hence, we urge our local government to recognize the pivotal role grassroots organizations play in tackling Detroit's housing crisis, and to substantially increase financial and technical aid to these organizations. We believe that with an improved support framework tailored to their needs, these organizations can drive a meaningful difference in our quest to combat the housing crisis.

Now is the time for action. Sign this petition to urge the establishment for greater assistance to grassroots organizations in Detroit dealing with the housing crisis.