Aaron Mondry
@amondry.bsky.social
Senior Reporter with @outliermedia.org. I cover housing, development and real estate in Detroit.
https://outliermedia.org/
https://outliermedia.org/
Pinned
Aaron Mondry
@amondry.bsky.social
· Nov 21
Property speculation in Detroit: Know the speculators
Outlier Media is taking an in-depth look at property speculation and its effects on Detroit.
outliermedia.org
Here's where you can find all the stories in our series, The Speculators of Detroit. So far, we've got pieces on Dennis Kefallinos, how speculators hide their identities and its impact on Detroit neighborhoods. You'll find all future articles here, too.
outliermedia.org/detroit-spec...
outliermedia.org/detroit-spec...
I love this at the bottom of @kobylevin.bsky.social story. Such a great bit of transparency to help develop trust in the reporter's work.
November 25, 2025 at 2:44 PM
I love this at the bottom of @kobylevin.bsky.social story. Such a great bit of transparency to help develop trust in the reporter's work.
Reposted by Aaron Mondry
The presentation, project boards & livestream from MDOT's I-375 November community meeting are now online. Rendering shows the boulevard replacing the freeway with the I-75 interchange remaining as is for now.
375detroit.org/november-202...
375detroit.org/november-202...
November 2025 Community Meeting - The 375 Project
November 2025 Community Meeting
375detroit.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The presentation, project boards & livestream from MDOT's I-375 November community meeting are now online. Rendering shows the boulevard replacing the freeway with the I-75 interchange remaining as is for now.
375detroit.org/november-202...
375detroit.org/november-202...
Reposted by Aaron Mondry
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
November 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
This is a big deal. Practically every developer in Detroit has told me it's essentially impossible to make a project pencil out without subsidies.
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
Detroit’s go-to tax deals for developers on the brink of vanishing
State tax programs used heavily by Detroit developers will expire soon unless lawmakers extend them.
www.freep.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
This is a big deal. Practically every developer in Detroit has told me it's essentially impossible to make a project pencil out without subsidies.
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
www.freep.com/story/news/p...
This line about reductions in Detroit's water affordability plan really hit home:
“My health insurance premiums are doubling, and all the copays are quadrupling, and nothing goes down.”
outliermedia.org/dwsd-lifelin...
“My health insurance premiums are doubling, and all the copays are quadrupling, and nothing goes down.”
outliermedia.org/dwsd-lifelin...
DWSD’s new water payment plan is smaller and more expensive
DWSD opened applications for its new water payment assistance program, but it’s more exclusive and expensive.
outliermedia.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:49 PM
This line about reductions in Detroit's water affordability plan really hit home:
“My health insurance premiums are doubling, and all the copays are quadrupling, and nothing goes down.”
outliermedia.org/dwsd-lifelin...
“My health insurance premiums are doubling, and all the copays are quadrupling, and nothing goes down.”
outliermedia.org/dwsd-lifelin...
Reposted by Aaron Mondry
“I’ve served my county honorably,” says veteran Joseph Adams Jr. But the apartment he was placed in by a program designed for housing veterans isn’t suitable for his needs. He’s spent nearly a year bathing from a bucket.
What’s worse, his support is ending, and he may be on the street again soon.
What’s worse, his support is ending, and he may be on the street again soon.
MiSide housing aid fails Detroit veteran
MiSide is a program that helps veterans find stable housing. But one Detroiter was left in the lurch.
outliermedia.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:45 PM
“I’ve served my county honorably,” says veteran Joseph Adams Jr. But the apartment he was placed in by a program designed for housing veterans isn’t suitable for his needs. He’s spent nearly a year bathing from a bucket.
What’s worse, his support is ending, and he may be on the street again soon.
What’s worse, his support is ending, and he may be on the street again soon.
The Detroit Land Bank is entering a make-or-break moment, with questions swirling about its future swirl. It also just published a five-year strategic plan that doubles as a pitch for its continued existence. Will the plan be enough to save it?
outliermedia.org/detroit-land...
outliermedia.org/detroit-land...
Detroit Land Bank: Will it exist in five years?
Will the Detroit Land Bank exist in five years? Its new strategic plan makes the case to save the city’s largest landowner.
outliermedia.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The Detroit Land Bank is entering a make-or-break moment, with questions swirling about its future swirl. It also just published a five-year strategic plan that doubles as a pitch for its continued existence. Will the plan be enough to save it?
outliermedia.org/detroit-land...
outliermedia.org/detroit-land...
Despite the Air Force vet’s service, housing support officials say they’ve done all they can do to help Joseph Adams Jr., who was placed in an apartment that didn't meet his needs as a disabled person. And now he might even lose that.
outliermedia.org/miside-veter...
outliermedia.org/miside-veter...
MiSide housing aid fails Detroit veteran
MiSide is a program that helps veterans find stable housing. But one Detroiter was left in the lurch.
outliermedia.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Despite the Air Force vet’s service, housing support officials say they’ve done all they can do to help Joseph Adams Jr., who was placed in an apartment that didn't meet his needs as a disabled person. And now he might even lose that.
outliermedia.org/miside-veter...
outliermedia.org/miside-veter...
Reposted by Aaron Mondry
SNAP funding is on pause.
That means thousands of Detroit families who rely on the food assistance program will face a challenging November. Do you need food resources?
Here’s how Detroiters are showing up for each other:
That means thousands of Detroit families who rely on the food assistance program will face a challenging November. Do you need food resources?
Here’s how Detroiters are showing up for each other:
SNAP benefits on pause: Where to find help in Detroit
Thousands of Michigan residents will lose their SNAP benefits. Here’s where to find help in Detroit.
outliermedia.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
SNAP funding is on pause.
That means thousands of Detroit families who rely on the food assistance program will face a challenging November. Do you need food resources?
Here’s how Detroiters are showing up for each other:
That means thousands of Detroit families who rely on the food assistance program will face a challenging November. Do you need food resources?
Here’s how Detroiters are showing up for each other:
This community nonprofit has staked everything on stalling a $180M redevelopment of the Villages at Parkside.
outliermedia.org/friends-of-p...
outliermedia.org/friends-of-p...
Friends of Parkside files complaint against Detroit Housing Commission
Friends of Parkside, a neighborhood nonprofit, is in a conflict with the Detroit Housing Commission that could leave its future vulnerable.
outliermedia.org
October 22, 2025 at 8:13 PM
This community nonprofit has staked everything on stalling a $180M redevelopment of the Villages at Parkside.
outliermedia.org/friends-of-p...
outliermedia.org/friends-of-p...
Reposted by Aaron Mondry
For nearly 35 years, Friends of Parkside has provided services to Villages at Parkside residents, like a free food pantry and a weekly bingo night.
But a conflict with the Detroit Housing Commission over a major redevelopment of the complex could spell doom. The latest from @amondry.bsky.social :
But a conflict with the Detroit Housing Commission over a major redevelopment of the complex could spell doom. The latest from @amondry.bsky.social :
outliermedia.org
October 22, 2025 at 7:50 PM
For nearly 35 years, Friends of Parkside has provided services to Villages at Parkside residents, like a free food pantry and a weekly bingo night.
But a conflict with the Detroit Housing Commission over a major redevelopment of the complex could spell doom. The latest from @amondry.bsky.social :
But a conflict with the Detroit Housing Commission over a major redevelopment of the complex could spell doom. The latest from @amondry.bsky.social :
I really want someone to put together a map of Detroit's Art Deco apartment buildings. There's gotta be a couple dozen of these beauties across town.
October 8, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I really want someone to put together a map of Detroit's Art Deco apartment buildings. There's gotta be a couple dozen of these beauties across town.
Several big takeaways from a recent hearing in the city's lawsuit against RealT:
- Tenants risk eviction if they don't get on escrow accounts soon
- RealT has a $2M unpaid water bill
- The parties reached a settlement over a previously unreported lawsuit
outliermedia.org/realt-tenant...
- Tenants risk eviction if they don't get on escrow accounts soon
- RealT has a $2M unpaid water bill
- The parties reached a settlement over a previously unreported lawsuit
outliermedia.org/realt-tenant...
RealT tenants ordered to put rent into escrow or face eviction
A judge ordered RealT tenants in Detroit to put rent into court-ordered escrow accounts or risk eviction.
outliermedia.org
October 7, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Several big takeaways from a recent hearing in the city's lawsuit against RealT:
- Tenants risk eviction if they don't get on escrow accounts soon
- RealT has a $2M unpaid water bill
- The parties reached a settlement over a previously unreported lawsuit
outliermedia.org/realt-tenant...
- Tenants risk eviction if they don't get on escrow accounts soon
- RealT has a $2M unpaid water bill
- The parties reached a settlement over a previously unreported lawsuit
outliermedia.org/realt-tenant...
What you see when you go to HUD's website.
October 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
What you see when you go to HUD's website.
First the county took people's homes. Now it declines to provide them the most basic assistance to receive a tiny portion of the equity they're entitled to.
outliermedia.org/wayne-county...
outliermedia.org/wayne-county...
Wayne County ‘no help at all’ to Detroiters claiming auction profits
Former homeowners face a daunting process to reclaim foreclosure auction profits and say Treasurer Eric Sabree’s office has done little to help.
outliermedia.org
September 18, 2025 at 2:39 PM
First the county took people's homes. Now it declines to provide them the most basic assistance to receive a tiny portion of the equity they're entitled to.
outliermedia.org/wayne-county...
outliermedia.org/wayne-county...
Reposted by Aaron Mondry
"There have been just 1,100 housing units built this year, according to a city database — far short of the 2,700 units needed to keep up with population growth, according to a City Planning Commission report. Just 44 of the units built this year were unsubsidized. In 2024, that number was 598."
Detroit developers warn of looming rental market meltdown
Developers warn that multifamily apartment buildings are on the brink of widespread bank foreclosures and Detroit’s rental market is at risk.
outliermedia.org
September 11, 2025 at 4:39 PM
"There have been just 1,100 housing units built this year, according to a city database — far short of the 2,700 units needed to keep up with population growth, according to a City Planning Commission report. Just 44 of the units built this year were unsubsidized. In 2024, that number was 598."
I spoke to a bunch of developers for this story and they all told me the same thing: The Detroit rental market is in trouble. We've already seen a bunch of bank foreclosures in the last year, and they say we're likely to see a lot more.
outliermedia.org/detroit-rent...
outliermedia.org/detroit-rent...
Detroit developers warn of looming rental market meltdown
Developers warn that multifamily apartment buildings are on the brink of widespread bank foreclosures and Detroit’s rental market is at risk.
outliermedia.org
September 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I spoke to a bunch of developers for this story and they all told me the same thing: The Detroit rental market is in trouble. We've already seen a bunch of bank foreclosures in the last year, and they say we're likely to see a lot more.
outliermedia.org/detroit-rent...
outliermedia.org/detroit-rent...
A truck route ordinance in Detroit has stalled for years. Meanwhile, 18-wheelers rumble past parks and schools.
outliermedia.org/truck-traffi...
outliermedia.org/truck-traffi...
Truck traffic in Southwest Detroit fuels health and safety concerns
A truck route ordinance has stalled for years. Meanwhile, kids in Southwest Detroit have to dodge traffic just to play at the park.
outliermedia.org
September 9, 2025 at 8:20 PM
A truck route ordinance in Detroit has stalled for years. Meanwhile, 18-wheelers rumble past parks and schools.
outliermedia.org/truck-traffi...
outliermedia.org/truck-traffi...
Reposted by Aaron Mondry
Eventually you have to accept that no matter how many different notebooks you buy, they won’t make you a better writer. For that, you need to spend a lot of money on the right pen.
November 20, 2024 at 6:01 PM
Eventually you have to accept that no matter how many different notebooks you buy, they won’t make you a better writer. For that, you need to spend a lot of money on the right pen.
Reposted by Aaron Mondry
Earlier this year, crypto real estate company RealT got more than $100,000 in digital tokens for a home on Detroit’s eastside. Now, somebody else is selling it.
It’s one of five cases where properties RealT “sold” to investors were subsequently listed on the traditional real estate market.
It’s one of five cases where properties RealT “sold” to investors were subsequently listed on the traditional real estate market.
RealT homes are being sold by other companies. What do investors own?
Properties RealT “sold” to investors were listed on the traditional real estate market — raising questions about what RealT investors actually bought.
outliermedia.org
August 28, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Earlier this year, crypto real estate company RealT got more than $100,000 in digital tokens for a home on Detroit’s eastside. Now, somebody else is selling it.
It’s one of five cases where properties RealT “sold” to investors were subsequently listed on the traditional real estate market.
It’s one of five cases where properties RealT “sold” to investors were subsequently listed on the traditional real estate market.
Latest article on RealT dropped this morning. The company pitches investors on real estate ownership on chain. But other companies are currently marketing these properties and mortgages encumber some of the worst buildings in its portfolio.
outliermedia.org/realt-detroi...
outliermedia.org/realt-detroi...
RealT homes are being sold by other companies. What do investors own?
Properties RealT “sold” to investors were listed on the traditional real estate market — raising questions about what RealT investors actually bought.
outliermedia.org
August 28, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Latest article on RealT dropped this morning. The company pitches investors on real estate ownership on chain. But other companies are currently marketing these properties and mortgages encumber some of the worst buildings in its portfolio.
outliermedia.org/realt-detroi...
outliermedia.org/realt-detroi...
The judge in the city's case against RealT has issued a preliminary injunction extending the previous order for another 60 days, saying the company still cannot evict tenants or collect rent. The next hearing is currently scheduled for October.
August 13, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The judge in the city's case against RealT has issued a preliminary injunction extending the previous order for another 60 days, saying the company still cannot evict tenants or collect rent. The next hearing is currently scheduled for October.
I spent many months reporting on the numerous issues at the Detroit Housing Commission in 2023-2024. When Arthur Jemison took over as director, the agency was in crisis. But in less than a year, the DHC has already made notable progress.
outliermedia.org/detroit-hous...
outliermedia.org/detroit-hous...
Detroit Housing Commission boasts improvements, turnaround
The Detroit Housing Commission has cleared backlogs and passed inspections in just the past year.
outliermedia.org
August 13, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I spent many months reporting on the numerous issues at the Detroit Housing Commission in 2023-2024. When Arthur Jemison took over as director, the agency was in crisis. But in less than a year, the DHC has already made notable progress.
outliermedia.org/detroit-hous...
outliermedia.org/detroit-hous...
Reposted by Aaron Mondry
Didn’t want to believe this was true. It’s true.
August 7, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Didn’t want to believe this was true. It’s true.
