Title
Resolution Directing the City Administrator to Develop a Comprehensive Anti-Displacement Plan for the City of Ann Arbor
Staff
Reviewed by: Brett Lenart, Planning Manager
Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Christopher Frost, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor has completed an extensive public engagement process for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which is now in its final stages and anticipated to be transmitted to City Council for consideration;
Whereas, The Comprehensive Land Use Plan is intended to guide future growth, housing development, transportation, and neighborhood investment across the city;
Whereas, The Plan includes strategies such as mixed-use neighborhoods, increased housing density, and inclusionary zoning intended to expand housing supply and support long-term sustainability;
Whereas, Throughout the public engagement process, residents raised concerns regarding the potential for displacement of existing residents and businesses as new development and reinvestment occur;
Whereas, These concerns are particularly acute for older adults, low-income households, renters, homeowners on fixed incomes, communities of color, and small locally owned businesses;
Whereas, Displacement may occur through rising rents, increasing property taxes, escalating maintenance costs, speculative acquisition, loss of naturally occurring affordable housing, and the erosion of long-standing neighborhood and cultural stability;
Whereas, Displacement impacts renters, homeowners, and businesses alike and can undermine community continuity, economic diversity, and neighborhood resilience;
Whereas, Montgomery County, Maryland operates a Focused Neighborhood Assistance (FNA) Program that provides financial and technical assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowner and condominium communities;
Whereas, Cities across the United States, including Boston, Austin, Seattle, San Jose, and Tacoma, have adopted formal anti-displacement strategies to ensure that growth and reinvestment do not come at the expense of existing residents;
Whereas, These anti-displacement plans commonly include four core elements:
1. Planning ahead to identify neighborhoods or areas at risk of displacement
2. Protecting long-term residents from the impacts of rising rents and home prices
3. Preserving existing affordable housing
4. Producing additional dedicated affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households;
Whereas, National research organizations, including the Brookings Institution, have documented strategies for advancing inclusive economic growth while reducing displacement and ensuring that existing residents share in the benefits of investment;
Whereas, Ann Arbor currently utilizes development incentives and affordability tools, including inclusionary zoning and targeted funding programs, but additional funding mechanisms, incentives, and proactive strategies may be available to strengthen housing stability and prevent displacement;
Whereas, Prevention is more effective and less costly than attempting to address displacement after residents and businesses have already been forced to leave;
Whereas, The Small Business Anti-Displacement Network and similar organizations provide toolkits and best practices to support commercial stability, legacy businesses, and neighborhood-serving enterprises; and
Whereas, An intentional and comprehensive anti-displacement strategy would support the goals of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan by ensuring that growth benefits existing residents rather than unintentionally displacing them;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council directs the City Administrator to develop a framework and implementation roadmap for the creation of a comprehensive Anti-Displacement Plan for the City of Ann Arbor;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator shall return to City Council within 90 days with a report that includes, at a minimum:
1. A proposed scope and definition of displacement as it applies to Ann Arbor, including impacts to renters, homeowners, older adults, low- and moderate-income households, communities of color, and small locally owned businesses;
2. A proposed framework for identifying neighborhoods, populations, and commercial districts at heightened risk of displacement;
3. An outline of the core components to be included in a future Anti-Displacement Plan, including strategies related to resident stabilization, preservation of existing affordable housing, production of new dedicated affordable housing, and small business retention;
4. An inventory of existing City tools, programs, and policies currently related to housing stability, affordability, and displacement prevention;
5. Identification of potential additional strategies, incentives, funding mechanisms, and partnerships, including both public and private options, that could be explored to strengthen anti-displacement efforts;
6. A summary of best practices from peer cities that have adopted anti-displacement plans or similar strategies;
7. A proposed community engagement approach for development of a full Anti-Displacement Plan, with particular attention to populations most vulnerable to displacement;
8. A proposed timeline for development and City Council consideration of a comprehensive Anti-Displacement Plan.
RESOLVED, That the 90-day report may include recommendations regarding the use of external technical assistance or consultant support, if determined necessary, including a proposed scope of work, estimated cost, potential funding sources, and anticipated timeline for completion; and
RESOLVED, That development of an Anti-Displacement Plan is intended to complement and support implementation of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, ensuring that future growth and reinvestment occur in a manner that promotes long-term community stability, inclusion, and opportunity for existing residents and businesses.
Sponsored by: Councilmember Harrison