Angela Whitfield Calloway - Candidate for City Council - District 2

1) Federal policies often shift in ways that impact cities’ ability to provide essential services and maintain stability, especially in today’s political climate. What are the key federal programs you believe most directly affect Detroiters, and how would you advocate to preserve or replace these supports?

Response: Federal decisions play a powerful role in shaping Detroit’s ability to deliver core services and protect residents, especially in communities that have experienced decades of disinvestment. Right now, essential programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Choice Vouchers, and LIHEAP are under threat, putting housing, healthcare, food access, and basic utilities at risk for thousands of Detroiters. I am committed to fighting for the preservation and expansion of these supports by elevating the voices of impacted residents, working in coalition with other local leaders, and engaging directly with our congressional delegation. As these programs face cuts or restructuring, I will continue pushing for federal accountability while also exploring local solutions to protect our most vulnerable communities and ensure Detroit remains a city where all residents can survive and thrive.

2) With the challenges posed by economic uncertainty, rising inflation, and evolving federal policies, what will be your approach to collaborating with local, regional, and national leaders to protect Detroit’s progress? What specific area—such as housing, education, or economic development—will you prioritize?

Response: Given the current economic uncertainty, rising inflation, and shifting federal policies, my approach to collaboration will be rooted in building strong, strategic partnerships across all levels of government and community stakeholders. I will actively engage with local leaders, regional coalitions, and national organizations to ensure Detroit’s needs are clearly communicated and prioritized. This means coordinating advocacy efforts and leveraging collective influence to secure resources and policy support that align with our city’s goals.

While all areas are important, I will prioritize housing as a critical foundation for Detroit’s stability and growth. Affordable, safe, and accessible housing impacts health, education, and economic opportunity. By focusing on protecting and expanding housing resources, we can create a stronger community for Detroiters. At the same time, I will remain attentive to education and economic development as interconnected priorities, knowing that progress in housing must go hand in hand with quality schools and good jobs.

3) A review of the City of Detroit’s Economic Outlook 2024-2029, dated February 2025, states that:

“Detroit’s economic recovery has encountered significant headwinds over the last eight months, but we expect it to regain its footing this year as the macroeconomic environment becomes more favorable. We note, however, that there is substantial uncertainty surrounding our forecast, particularly regarding policy changes with the new presidential administration, as well as with the pace of inflation and the Federal Reserve’s response.”

The report further states that the gains made in the number of jobs in the city and the number of Detroiters employed have declined since mid-2024. With this sobering background information and the instability caused by the tariff policies and the anticipated gutting of federal programs, what will your strategy be to:

A. Monitor the general fund for impacts, identify the trigger for a reduction in revenue that would necessitate scaling back services or triggering layoffs, and/or slow down the pace of service delivery?

B. Engage other levels of government to arrive at a plan of action?

Response: I believe it is imperative to work closely with Tanya Stoudemire, the City of Detroit’s Chief Financial Officer, and her team to consistently monitor the General Fund, review revenue trends, and identify clear indicators that may signal the need to adjust city services or staffing levels. Maintaining active engagement with the Budget and Finance Standing Committee, along with strong working relationships across departments, helps ensure transparency and timely communication with residents and city employees. Keeping the public informed about our financial outlook is key to building and maintaining trust.

I have built and sustained strong relationships with policymakers in Lansing and with members of our congressional delegation. These partnerships are essential to securing critical resources, anticipating policy shifts, and protecting Detroit’s interests at every level of government. I remain committed to continued collaboration, especially as federal programs and funding streams face growing uncertainty.

I also support ongoing coordination with officials across local, regional, state, and federal levels to align efforts and respond strategically to Detroit’s evolving fiscal landscape. A strong combination of oversight, collaboration, and informed decision-making is necessary to protect core services and ensure long-term stability for our residents.