Joel Haashiim - Candidate for Mayor

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: Affordable housing is one of the federal programs that most affect Detroiters (Hud, Section 8, etc.) and my administration has a plan to build over 10K homes using quality and energy efficient building materials using building concepts. I have partnerships with builders in Michigan to build new homes and repair existing homes (abandoned and owned by the city) that can be rehabbed. My plan to revitalize includes me advocating for more funding to build homes and pushing for reforms that reduce red tape for residents to secure home ownership.

Cuts to Medicaid and Ebt benefits are federal programs that also affect Detroiters. Many Detroiters rely on SNAP and Medicaid for basic health and nutrition needs and cuts to these programs could increase food insecurity for the residents and threaten their overall health.

Transportation is another issue in the city. We need a transit system that is comparable to other large cities such as Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, etc. The plan is to extend the Uline all the way to 8 mile Rd, and run a train system in certain parts of the city and the outskirts, all the way to downtown. Funding would come from investment partnerships and the manufacturing business that I plan to build in Detroit to help mass produce housing and bring in job opportunities.

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: Changes to federal policies will undoubtedly affect the economy and will require collaborative, and strategic action. As mayor, my plan is to focus on coalition-building. I will work with our City Council, neighborhood organizations, business owners, Detroit Public Schools, local colleges, and community partners to align education with workforce needs, and to come up with policies that support community progress. My top priority will be economic development. Detroit needs a diverse economy in order to lay a foundation for economic, political, and educational empowerment. A diverse economy needs international business and trade, as well as domestic industries to forge employment opportunities and stabilize the economy. When we create jobs that pay occupational wages, support small businesses, and create pathways into careers by providing job trainings for the youth and underserved communities, we reduce poverty, crime, and empower families to stay and thrive in our city. It is to the success of the residents of Detroit that we circulate our finances in the community and began the process of creating generational wealth.

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: As mayor, I will lead with a data-driven approach to ensure Detroit remains financially resilient in uncertain times. To monitor the general funds for impacts, my administration will call for a forensic financial audit to determine where and how funds were used; make a plan to allocate funds to programs that support the job force, and eliminate the misuse of funds in our city's treasury. Transparency will be key. I will regularly report to the public and City Council on our financial health, so Detroiters are never left in the dark.

Detroit cannot face these challenges alone. I will immediately engage with State partners in Lansing to explore stabilization funds, infrastructure grants, and workforce investments, especially in sectors impacted by tariffs or federal cuts. Due to national uncertainty, Detroit must be proactive, not reactive. We have to have foresight and strong leadership to continue building a city that works for all Detroiters.