City of Detroit launches new online property application to streamline access to publicly owned properties

The City of Detroit's Housing and Revitalization Department (HRD) today announced the launch of a new online property application designed to make it easier, faster, and more transparent for applicants to pursue City-owned and select Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) properties.

The new online application replaces the City's previous property application and will be used for City of Detroit surplus properties, including industrial, commercial, and high-density residential parcels. The application will also be used by the Detroit Land Bank Authority for DLBA-owned properties that are not currently listed on BuildingDetroit.org.

"This new application is about respecting people's time and making it easier for Detroiters to work with their city," said Julie Schneider, Director of the City of Detroit's Housing and Revitalization Department. "By creating a system that is clearer, more transparent, and easier to navigate, we're improving the user experience while ensuring residents, developers, and small business owners have a smoother path to bringing properties back into productive use for Detroit neighborhoods."

The previous application process resulted in a high volume of incomplete submissions and unnecessary delays. Applicants were unable to save draft applications, review what they had submitted, or easily upload supporting materials. The format - which required users to answer one question per page - made the application longer and more cumbersome than necessary, while outdated questions further slowed the process.

Key Improvements in the New Online Application

The new system introduces several major upgrades designed to improve the applicant's experience and City review process, including:

• User accounts with secure login, allow applicants to save draft applications and view previously submitted applications.
• Application status tracking, so users can see where their application stands in the review process.
• More complete submissions, with required fields and the ability to apply only after identifying a specific property.
• Auto-populated contact information, making it easier for users to submit multiple applications.
• Simplified document uploads, allowing applicants to attach multiple supporting files such as site plans, financial information, and development proposals.
• Reorganized and clarified questions, removing unnecessary fields and making expectations clearer for applicants.

These improvements are designed to reduce processing time, improve communication, and help ensure publicly owned properties are transferred to applicants with clear, feasible plans that align with City goals.

The new online property application works hand in hand with the City's Detroit Development Opportunities Map, an interactive public tool that allows residents, entrepreneurs, and developers to easily see available properties across the city.

The map shows where City of Detroit-owned and Detroit Land Bank Authority-owned properties are located, clearly identifying which entity owns each property and what opportunities are available for purchase or development. Users can explore properties by location and ownership before applying, helping applicants better understand what is available and determine which properties align with their plans.

By pairing the Detroit Development Opportunities Map with the new online application, the City is creating a more transparent, user-friendly experience that empowers Detroiters to identify opportunities, apply with confidence, and move forward with clear expectations when pursuing publicly owned property.

Launch and What's Next

Applicants can access the new City of Detroit Property Portal at buyproperty.detroitmi.gov.

For questions about the application or City-owned properties, applicants can contact the Housing and Revitalization Department through the portal.