Northwest Wayne News

Applications are now open for Detroiters to apply for the Neighborhood Beautification Program (NBP), which awards grants ranging from $500 to $15,000 to beautify vacant land across the city.

The NBP provides funding for Detroit-based block clubs, neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based groups that currently own vacant land to carry out a project in the community. For those who hope to participate but do not yet own land, NBP staff can assist organizations with purchasing or leasing lots owned by the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

NBP grants support three types of projects:

• Community Gardens
• Public Space Improvements
• Clean-Up Activities

The program has awarded 99 grants totaling $1.24 million across every City Council district since Fall 2022, and $3.51 million in grants remain available through 2025. The deadline to apply for funding this year is February 23rd.

The NBP is part of the Neighborhood Improvement Fund (NIF), which was championed by Council President Sheffield as part of the development deal for the Detroit Pistons’ new headquarters and training facility in District 5. NIF dollars are derived from the net income tax revenue collected from NBA players’ salaries during home games played at Little Caesars Arena and the salaries of Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment employees. The initial funding for the NBP was $2.25 million, including $1.25 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and $1 million in NIF funding. In August 2023, Mayor Duggan and Council President Sheffield announced an additional $2.5 million in ARPA funding to extend the program through 2025.

The Neighborhood Beautification Program is overseen by the City of Detroit’s Housing & Revitalization Department and administered by the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency (Wayne Metro).

“The Neighborhood Beautification Program continues to play an integral role in the City’s efforts to turn blight into beauty,” said Tamra Fountaine Hardy, director of HRD’s Neighborhood Services Division, which oversees the NBP. “We continue to work with neighborhood associations, block clubs, and nonprofits in the city who are interested in beautifying the spaces live, work, and play in. Residents are investing their time, sweat, and creatively transforming into beautiful, welcoming places to gather. We’ve had two very successful rounds of funding and look forward to even more Detroiters applying as we build our city back better than ever before.”

How to apply

Detroit-based block clubs, neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based groups can apply at www.waynemetro.org/neighborhood-beautification-grant. Nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups must partner with a city-registered block club or neighborhood association to be eligible for funding. Block clubs and neighborhood associations must be incorporated as an LLC or a 501(c)(3) to receive funding, while nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups must be incorporated as a 501(c)(3).

NBP staff will host three information sessions for this application round. Click on the links below to register to attend or view a recording:

• Information Session – Wednesday, January 15 at 5pm
• Plot Plan + Permitting Session – Wednesday, January 24 at 9am
• Q&A Session – Wednesday, January 31 at 12pm

NBP staff also host weekly virtual NBP office hours, where residents can join an online chat to get help. No registration is required—just click the links below:

• Wednesdays from 9am-11am
• Fridays from 11am-1pm

For more information on applying, residents can contact Samuel Coons or Karmel Reeves at Samuel.Coons@detroitmi.gov or Karmel.Reeves@detroitmi.gov.

Original source can be found here.