U of M expert to lead Detroit's new anti-poverty initiative

State of play: Shaefer, a leading scholar on poverty and social welfare and a self-professed data nerd, headed up the university's Poverty Solutions research initiative before joining Sheffield's administration.

• He will oversee the existing health department, which will get a new leader, as well as the office of immigrant affairs and the new Department of Human, Homeless and Family Services.

What they're saying: "This role is designed to bring national best practices, deep research and real accountability to how we fight poverty and improve outcomes for our residents," Sheffield said Monday in a press conference.

Zoom in: Detroit native Benita Miller, an attorney, former New York City government leader and longtime child welfare reform advocate, will be the new department's director under Shaefer.

Zoom out: Poverty was a critical issue in the mayor's race. Despite its recovery from bankruptcy, the city recently saw the poverty rate hit its highest point in seven years.

• Census estimates released in September showed that while the rate of residents living in poverty has generally declined, it rose to 34.5% from 2023 to 2024 — the highest since 2017.
• But not all indicators were negative: Detroit's median income increased nearly 3% from 2023 to 2024, and 52% in total since 2010.