Detroit needs more affordable housing — but even more dire is its lack of options for people with accessibility needs.

The big picture: Federal accessible housing rules don't go nearly far enough to help Detroiters with disabilities, per an August study by the city's housing department, along with Detroit Disability Power and national disability-forward housing nonprofit The Kelsey.

• City Council requested the study to inform potential future housing policies.

By the numbers: Around 1 in 5 Detroiters have disabilities, per 2023 census estimates cited by the study.

• People with disabilities are more in need of affordable housing. They earned a median of $23,400 in 2023 in Detroit, nearly $10,000 less than residents without disabilities.
• The most common disabilities cited in the study include mobility and cognitive.

What they're saying: More than half of residents with disabilities surveyed by study organizers said their homes didn't meet their needs.

• "Besides an inability to afford available housing, other challenges experienced by residents when looking for housing … include long waitlists, application fees they cannot afford, and property denials because their credit scores are too low," the study says.

Zoom out: Just under 5% of the nation's housing supply is accessible for those with moderate mobility difficulties and 1% is usable for those with wheelchairs, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Zoom in: These figures are not available in Detroit, per the study, though the city recently started trying to estimate. More than 93% of the city's multifamily units were built before 1990 Fair Housing Act accessibility requirements.

• Detroit estimates that out of 10,216 regulated affordable housing units built after that, there are about 700 units accessible for residents with mobility, hearing or visual disabilities.

Between the lines: Federal and local rules dictate some accessibility musts but don't cover all needs or provide useful guidance, per the study.

How it works: The Kelsey's inclusive design standards offer a more robust view of disability-forward design than regulations do. They range from guide stripes on floors for easy navigation and zero-step entrances to sensory-friendly soft acoustics in common areas.

What's next: The survey cites new programs that could help, including funding more home modifications for renters and homeowners, as well as conducting research on accessible Detroit design standards and educating developers.

• Some cities offer substantial incentives for developers offering more accessibility.

Go deeper: A resident of Detroit's Coronado Apartments shares accessibility challenges with Outlier Media.

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The Lions overhauled their roster this week ahead of the Sept. 7 season opener at Lambeau Field.

The big picture: With the preseason finished, the team's front office, led by general manager Brad Holmes, had to cut down to at least 53 players by the NFL's deadline on Tuesday.

• Holmes actually shed more players than he had to, trimming the roster to 50, giving him room to keep tinkering yesterday.
• The team traded veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick and signed Daniel Thomas, a defensive back who was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Three takeaways from the Lions' busy week:

✨ TeSlaa shines: By trading Patrick, the Lions are making way for rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.

• TeSlaa, picked in the third round, showed big-play potential in the preseason, with 10 catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns.

🤦 Draft mistakes: Holmes has a keen eye for talent, but he's not perfect.

• This week's roster cuts included two 2023 third-round picks — defensive lineman Brodric Martin and quarterback Hendon Hooker, who lost the backup-quarterback competition to Kyle Allen.

🤝 Za'Darius Smith reunion: Speculation is strong that Detroit is interested in bringing back Smith to bolster its pass rush.

• After Tuesday's cuts, Detroit was left with only three healthy edge rushers: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad.

What's next: The NFL season starts Sept. 4, when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys.

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🚌 Detroit's transit department is trying to speed up bus boarding and de-boarding along East Jefferson Avenue by installing 21 bus boarding platforms at stops along the major corridor. (Detroit News)

👀 Read up on the 10 best places to view Detroit's skyline, including the top floor of the Z Garage, the hill on the riverfront and the Detroit People Mover. (Free Press)

💸 City Council member Gabriela Santiago-Romero turned down campaign funding from a Dan Gilbert-fueled political committee. (BridgeDetroit)

🎷 The Detroit Jazz Festival, a Labor Day weekend tradition, runs Friday through Monday.

• Hart Plaza and Campus Martius will host most of the performances (here's the full schedule).
• Free!

🥳 The Detroit Sandwich Party, a celebration of the city's best handheld bites, is 11am-5pm on Sunday at Eastern Market.

• Free to attend.

🎤 Hip-hop hits from the 1990s and 2000s will be spinning on Friday night at Soul on Ice, near Livernois Avenue and Joy Road.

• The DJ lineup includes Gary Chandler, DJ Fingers and Bruce Bailey.
• Tickets start at $21.85 in advance.

More ideas for your weekend

Pokémon packs and sports cards aren't just for kids and niche collectors — they're fueling a retail boom.

Why it matters: Trading cards are billion-dollar businesses for mass retailers.

The big picture: Nearly 1 in 5 adults reported buying Pokémon cards for themselves, though only a quarter actually play the game — most are collecting or investing, per market research firm Circana.

What they're saying: "Now you have celebrities collecting, athletes, actors, everyone — you name it is collecting," Jonathan Franso, co-owner of Hidden Gems Card Shop in Shelby Township, told WDIV on the Pokémon craze.

Zoom in: Walmart Marketplace saw trading card sales soar 200% between February 2024 and June 2025, with Pokémon card sales growing over 10X year over year, the world's largest retailer told Axios.

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