May 27, 2014
STATEMENT FROM HUD SECRETARY SHAUN DONOVAN
ON THE RELEASE OF THE DETROIT BLIGHT REMOVAL TASK FORCE REPORT

Contact: George I. Gonzales
Phone: (202) 402-6054

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan issued the following statement today after the release of the Detroit Blight Removal Task Force report "Every Neighborhood Has a Future...And It Doesn't Include Blight." The report details the progress that has been made by local partners to remove blight and help revitalize neighborhoods in Detroit:

"I want to congratulate the Detroit Blight Removal Task Force on the release of the report, Every Neighborhood Has A Future...And It Doesn't Include Blight. The report clearly demonstrates that the City of Detroit and the Detroit Land Bank Authority are making real progress in their efforts to eliminate blight. In the coming weeks, HUD and other federal government partners are looking forward to reviewing the recommendations of the report and will continue to work with private, philanthropic, nonprofit, and public sector partners to support their revitalization efforts.

I especially want to acknowledge and express my gratitude for the work of all of the Task Force Chairs and Members as well as members of the community who contributed input and ideas to this report. Whether it pertains to blight or other local challenges, the Obama Administration remains committed to partnering with the City of Detroit as it continues on its road to economic recovery from the recent recession. We will continue to work with our partners in Detroit to ensure we create ladders of opportunity for Americans who are working hard to make it to the middle class and turn the people of Detroit's vision of the future into a reality."

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