Proposal Guidelines

Please find proposal guidelines for each type of DLBA marketed property below.

New Build Opportunities
Bundled Single-Family Homes
Commercial Property
Residential Projects
Land Based Projects
Plot Plan Instructions

Scoring Criteria

The DLBA evaluates offers using the following criteria:

• Price
• Feasibility of Project
• Experience
• Financing
• Neighborhood Benefit

To receive points for Neighborhood Benefit, respondents must meet with neighborhood representatives and introduce their proposed project. Projects that offer tangible community benefit will receive additional points. The DLBA, and/or City of Detroit, can provide more information about active community organizations in each neighborhood.Lastly, points may be awarded for proposals where the applicant has included a certificate from the Office of Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity for their business or company. More information about certificates offered can be found here.

Development Resources

City of Detroit Zoning Portal
Online Mapping
Tax Abatements and Public Subsidy Options

Private Sector Gap Financing Options:

Detroit Housing For The Future Fund
Capital Impact Partners
Invest Detroit
LISC
Enterprise

Tax Capture Disclaimer – 5/50

Buyers seeking certain tax abatements or lot combinations that conflict with the land bank’s 5/50 tax capture may have to make an additional payment to the DLBA.

After a Michigan land bank conveys property to a non-tax-exempt entity, the land bank receives 50% of taxes collected on that property for five years, known as a 5/50 (P.A. 260 & 261). The Assessor’s office places properties sold by a land bank on a specific tax roll to process the tax capture. However, the Assessor’s office also uses specific tax rolls for many abatements such as the NEZ, OPRA, PA 210, etc. Since the State of Michigan does not allow a property to be on two specific tax rolls at the same time, DLBA buyers need a 5/50 waiver from the DLBA before seeking applicable tax abatements and lot combinations. If buyers seek a waiver, the DLBA requests payment of the estimated five-year tax capture amount upfront.