Detroit-to-D.C. pipeline reopens: City official joins Biden's team at HUD

Democratic urban policy strategists in Detroit have new job opportunities at the federal level, and Arthur Jemison is the first mayoral aide making the leap.

Jemison, a housing specialist who joined Mike Duggan's leadership team during the mayor's first year in office, left Tuesday for a Biden administration political appointment, the city announces. He was sworn in Wednesday at the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Community Planning and Development, where the Detroit transplant gets one of those long federal titles that sound like parody -- principal deputy assistant secretary.

Arthur Jemison: "I am so proud of all we have accomplished. (Photo: LinkedIn)

The position lets him help shape urban development and emergency aid in an office overseeing more than $8 billion in annual block grants to cities and states for community projects and disaster response. That part of HUD also manages an affordable housing program, resources to combat homelessness and economic revival initiatives.

In Detroit, Jemison began as as directror of housing and revitalization. Since last June, he has been in Duggan's cabinet as group executive for planning, housing and development.

"I am so proud of all we have accomplished working together in Detroit," Jemison is quoted as saying in the release, where Duggan expresses pride in his selection.

"Detroit is quickly becoming a city where local, state and federal leaders nationally look to find talent, and Arthur has earned this incredible opportunity," the mayor says. "Much of the redevelopment we are seeing in neighborhoods across the city are a direct result of his hard work, vision and leadership."

The media handout mixes praise for Jemison with more than a bit of self-bragging:

Under Jemison’s leadership, and working with the Detroit City Council, more than 1,000 units of affordable housing were preserved; 2,800 units of market and affordable housing were completed or began construction; and more than $50 million in new grants and loans have been raised for affordable housing.

Jemison and his team also helped raise funds and implemented the Strategic Neighborhood Fund, which is transforming 10 neighborhoods of the City with over $50 million of grant funds raised with the corporate and philanthropic sector. Jemison also was integral to approval of Ford Motor Co.’s Michigan Central Station redevelopment, the FCA Jefferson North plant expansion, and Amazon’s new facilities in the city – major economic development projects that will bring more than 10,000 jobs to the city.

Most recently, Jemison was a key architect with the city’s chief financial officer on Proposal N, a $250-million ballot initiative passed by voters in November 2020 that will demolish or rehabilitate more than 16,000 vacant and abandoned houses and expand Detroit’s recovery to even more parts of the city.