Detroit Land Bank generates more than $2 billion in economic impact since 2014

• New report conducted by Griswold Consulting Group shows Detroit Land Bank has generated more than $2 billion in increased home values citywide since 2014, driven by large-scale demolition and rehabilitation efforts.
• Nearly 42,000 blighted or abandoned properties have been transformed, stabilizing neighborhoods and protecting surrounding home values in all seven City Council districts.
• Detroit Land Bank activity is estimated to account for up to 40% of Detroit's citywide home value growth over the past decade, underscoring its critical role in the city's housing market recovery.

A new economic impact analysis shows that the Detroit Land Bank (DLBA) has generated $2,039,478,698 in increased home values across Detroit neighborhoods since 2014. The report conducted by Griswold Consulting Group, illustrates the measurable and transformative impact of the DLBA's demolition and rehabilitation activity on Detroit's housing market and long-term neighborhood stability.

The analysis highlights that the DLBA is approaching its 30,000th residential demolition and 13,000th completed renovation, a scale unmatched by any other land bank in the nation. These strategic actions have protected and increased nearby home values, reversed long-standing decline, and helped stabilize housing markets across all seven City Council districts.

Key Findings:

• $2.039 billion total economic impact on nearby home values from DLBA demolition and rehabilitation activity since 2014.
• 29,065 demolitions have generated $874,630,860 in increased surrounding home values.
• 12,816 rehabilitations have generated $1,164,847,838 in increased nearby home values.
• On average, each demolition increases nearby home values by more than $30,000, while each non-distressed rehabilitation increases home values by nearly $91,000.
• DLBA activity is closely aligned with Detroit's 112% increase in owner-occupied home values, as identified in a recent University of Michigan study, with as much as 40% of this appreciation potentially attributable to DLBA interventions.

"This report reaffirms what Detroiters see every day, when blighted houses are removed and vacant, distressed properties are restored, entire neighborhoods benefit," said Rob Linn, Director of Planning & Analysis for the Detroit Land Bank. "Since 2014, the Detroit Land Bank has remained focused on stabilizing communities, supporting homeowners, and strengthening our city's tax base. Crossing the $2 billion threshold is more than a milestone, it's proof that strategic public investment delivers measurable, widespread impact for Detroit families."

Transforming Properties, Strengthening Communities

The report emphasizes DLBA's ability to deliver value at scale. Demolitions reduce blight and strengthen neighborhood safety, while rehabilitations bring formerly distressed houses back into productive use, boosting resident confidence and supporting new investment. These benefits are seen across every City Council district, underscoring the DLBA's citywide reach and impact.

In addition to demolitions and rehabilitations, DLBA recently celebrated the sale of more than 30,000 vacant lots across the city. These sales are strengthening neighborhoods, supporting homeownership, and empowering residents to invest directly in their communities. Formerly vacant land has been transformed into community gardens, shared green spaces, parks, and gathering places, helping residents reclaim and reimagine their blocks while fostering neighborhood pride and stability.

Supporting Detroit's Housing Market Recovery

The findings further underscore DLBA's essential role in Detroit's broader housing market resurgence. By addressing distressed properties at scale, and in the neighborhoods where intervention is most needed, DLBA is helping rebuild trust in the market and expanding pathways to homeownership.

Looking Ahead

The report also identifies future opportunities to maintain and accelerate progress:

• Ensuring current rehabilitation projects reach completion to prevent properties from falling back into distress.
• Continuing targeted demolition and rehabilitation to stabilize vulnerable markets.
• Leveraging DLBA's robust data to guide strategic neighborhood investment.

As Detroit continues its historic housing recovery, the analysis affirms that sustained investment in the DLBA is essential to maintaining momentum, supporting small-scale developers, and ensuring long-term neighborhood stabilization.

The full report can be found here: DLBA Economic Impact Final Report - GCG 11-17-25.

About the Detroit Land Bank Authority

The Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) is the largest land bank in the United States, dedicated to returning Detroit's vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties to productive use. Through innovative programs like Buy Back, Auction, Own It Now, and multiple land reuse initiatives, the DLBA empowers residents to rehabilitate homes, activate vacant lots, and invest in their neighborhoods. By fostering community-driven revitalization, the DLBA supports economic growth, neighborhood stabilization, and equitable access to homeownership.​

For more information about the Detroit Land Bank Authority and its programs, visit buildingdetroit.org.