The City of Detroit and Project Clean Slate (PCS) have received a $200,000 grant from the Michigan Justice Fund, an initiative led by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. The funding will allow PCS to continue providing legal support for expungement hearings over the next two years.
Project Clean Slate offers free legal services to Detroit residents and city employees seeking to expunge eligible criminal convictions. By sealing these records, the program aims to remove barriers that can limit access to employment, housing, and education.
Since its launch in 2016, PCS has helped expunge more than 19,000 convictions and processes thousands each year. Stephani LaBelle, Executive Director of PCS, said: “The Michigan Justice Fund has been a constant a supporter and funder of Project Clean Slate dating back to 2021. The funding is critical to the program and will enable PCS hearing attorneys to expunge thousands of convictions for eligible Detroiters.”
During the upcoming two-year grant period, PCS anticipates that over 15,000 Detroit residents will apply for assistance and expects to expunge about 10,000 convictions.
The funds are being managed by Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC), which acts as PCS’ fiduciary. DESC is the workforce agency for the City of Detroit and part of the Michigan Works Agency network. It also assists returning citizens who have participated in Project Clean Slate with finding employment.
