Proven Detroit Flood-Mitigation Model Expands Through Community Grant Opportunity

New pilot builds on WPD’s technically evaluated green stormwater infrastructure project, estimated to manage more than 20,000 gallons of stormwater annually

Detroit residents and community organizations can apply for funding to implement neighborhood flooding solutions through a new pilot led by We the People of Detroit in partnership with the City of Detroit Office of Sustainability and with support from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

The pilot will fund up to three green stormwater infrastructure projects in Detroit City Council Districts 3, 4, 6 and 7, including at least one residential project and one urban farm or community garden. Proposals are due October 31, 2026.

The initiative responds to the recurring flooding affecting homes, streets, businesses, farms and community spaces throughout Detroit. Rather than introducing an untested concept, the pilot builds on a green stormwater infrastructure project WPD has already implemented and had technically evaluated at its eastside headquarters.

“Detroit residents have firsthand knowledge of how flooding affects their homes, streets, and communities,” said Tepfirah Rushdan, Director of Sustainability at the City of Detroit Office of Sustainability. “This opportunity pairs that knowledge with technical expertise and implementation resources. By building on WPD’s existing model, we can support projects that respond to neighborhood conditions and are shaped by the people they are intended to serve.”

WPD developed its existing green stormwater infrastructure project after a 100-year rain and flooding event affected its office and surrounding properties in Detroit’s East English Village neighborhood.

The project includes permeable pavers, a rain garden, and a water-catchment system designed to capture stormwater, reduce runoff, and allow water to gradually infiltrate the ground or enter the sewer system when capacity is available.

The project captures runoff from WPD’s property and adjacent properties, helping reduce flooding while demonstrating how different green infrastructure practices can work at the neighborhood level.

A technical evaluation prepared by LimnoTech, a water science and engineering firm, estimated that the permeable pavers and rain garden can collectively manage approximately 20,423 gallons of stormwater during a full year. 

“Effective flood mitigation requires more than large-scale infrastructure investments. It also requires solutions rooted in the experiences and conditions of community members,” said Dr. Sara Hughes, senior policy researcher at RAND and adjunct professor at the University of Michigan. “WPD’s project demonstrates how community knowledge and technical expertise can work together to create measurable stormwater benefits. This pilot offers an important opportunity to build on that model while giving residents a meaningful role in shaping solutions for their communities.”

Through the new pilot, residents will do more than provide feedback. Community members will help identify project locations, describe the flooding conditions the installations should address, inform project decisions, and evaluate the effectiveness of the completed projects in responding to neighborhood needs.

Who Can Apply:

Residents, urban farms, community gardens, businesses, and institutions located in Districts 3, 4, 6, or 7 may submit proposals.

Community members are encouraged to apply if flooding regularly affects their street, yard, property, or community space, or if their site could benefit from a rain-collection system or another green stormwater infrastructure solution.

Proposal Timeline:

RFP Project Proposal Open: September 1–November 24, 2026

Proposal Webinar: September 22, 2026

Proposal Review/Selection: November 1–December 15, 2026

Acceptance/Denial Communication: January 2027

Project Implementation: Winter–Spring 2027

Proposals must be submitted by November 24, 2026. The complete Request for Proposals and application instructions are available HERE.