Aaron Mondry
@amondry.bsky.social
Senior Reporter with @outliermedia.org. I cover housing, development and real estate in Detroit. https://outliermedia.org/
RealT co-founder Jean-Marc Jacobson says his crypto real estate company plans to sell its entire Detroit property portfolio as mounting financial and legal troubles push it toward insolvency. The latest from @amondry.bsky.social: outliermedia.org/realt-crypto...
Latest on RealT: A cofounder recently told investors that the crypto real estate company would enter "voluntary liquidation" of all its properties -- it sold shares for around 700 in Detroit. outliermedia.org/realt-crypto...
RealT: Crypto real estate company plans to sell Detroit properties
Crypto real estate company RealT is planning to sell its entire Detroit portfolio amid financial strains and legal threats.
outliermedia.org
A group convened to help shape regulations for data centers is drawing criticism from environmental advocates who say the process favored industry voices, happened largely out of public view — and could lead to policies that prioritize data centers over Detroiters. outliermedia.org/data-center-...
Group shaping Detroit data center regulations draws transparency concerns
Detroit Councilmember Scott Benson’s proposed data center sidelined critical voices, environmental advocates say.
outliermedia.org
Who gets a say in shaping Detroit’s data centers? Environmental advocates say a working group shaping future data center regulations favored industry voices over residents. Outlier found that just one environmental and community advocate was invited. The latest from @amondry.bsky.social:
Group shaping Detroit data center regulations draws transparency concerns
Detroit Councilmember Scott Benson’s proposed data center sidelined critical voices, environmental advocates say.
outliermedia.org
Let us know if you've got any election questions!
Outlier Media@outliermedia.org · 2mo agoDo you have election questions? We’re here to answer them. This year, Detroiters’ ballots will include races for Congress, the state Legislature, Michigan governor and so much more. Got ballot brain freeze? Ask us your burning questions, and we’ll (try to) find the answers you need!
Had an interview on @wdet.bsky.social's The Metro yesterday talking about why so few landlords are compliant with the city's rental ordinance, as well the general state of rental housing in Detroit. Great questions from @thenomadicheart.bsky.social! wdet.org/2026/06/09/t...
Why almost nobody follows Detroit rental law | The Metro
Detroit's rental law has promised safe, inspected homes for 40 years — but only about 1 in 7 comply, leaving tenants in unsafe conditions.
wdet.org
It would be funny if the judge used AI to write the order blasting attorneys' use of AI. www.404media.co/judge-learns...
Judge Learns Lawyers on Both Sides of Case Used AI, Cancels Trial, Kicks Everyone Off the Case
When two AIs argue against each other, the legal system loses.
404media.co
This is Faliesha Walker. The Detroiter said she almost certainly would have been evicted if she hadn’t gotten legal help. A new report says Detroit’s right to counsel program has kept thousands of people from losing their homes. But its funding is running out. Latest from @amondry.bsky.social:
Detroit’s right to counsel program running out of money
Detroit’s right to counsel program will soon run out of money, despite saving the city millions of dollars.
outliermedia.org
Detroit’s right to counsel program has provided thousands of Detroiters with free legal representation in eviction court since 2022, allowing them to stay in their homes longer and push for repairs. But the program will soon run out of money. Can it be saved? outliermedia.org/right-to-cou...
Detroit’s right to counsel program running out of money
Detroit’s right to counsel program will soon run out of money, despite saving the city millions of dollars.
outliermedia.org
I'll be helping out at this event breaking down the city's budget with @outliermedia.org and @bridgedet313.bsky.social. Come and join us. Should be fun and informative!
Quick shoutout to Detroit's data team. The Open Data Portal remains an amazing resource, and the update to the parcel viewer is great! baseunits.detroitmi.gov/map?layer=pa...
Base Unit Tools | City of Detroit
Explore and inspect Detroit's base units: addresses, parcels, buildings, and streets.
baseunits.detroitmi.gov
Detroit updated its rental ordinance to bring more landlords to bring more landlords into compliance. A year and a half later, just 4% more properties are legally allowed to operate a rental. outliermedia.org/detroit-rent...
Detroit eased rental inspection rules for landlords. Did it work?
In 2024, the city updated its rental inspection rules to encourage more landlords to participate. It’s barely made a difference.
outliermedia.org
In 2024, the city updated its rental ordinance to make compliance easier for landlords. Back then, 10% of Detroit rentals had a certificate of compliance. Today, 14% have one. Why? Landlords say it’s because compliance is still difficult to achieve. The latest from @amondry.bsky.social:
Detroit eased rental inspection rules for landlords. Did it work?
In 2024, the city updated its rental inspection rules to encourage more landlords to participate. It’s barely made a difference.
outliermedia.org
Another instance of the Wayne County refusing to answer basic questions about its operations. People who had their property foreclosed between 2015-2020 are getting checks from the auction proceeds -- for less than they were expecting. Why? The county won't say. outliermedia.org/wayne-county...
Wayne County foreclosure claims: Residents say they’re underpaid
Wayne County owes some Detroiters money for their foreclosure claims, but won’t tell them how much.
outliermedia.org
Detroit movie buffs, let’s see if you actually deserve the title. 🍿 No Googling. Senate Theater trivia thread below. Comment your score. 1. What year did the Senate Theater open? A) 1955 B) 1963 C) 1926 D) 1941
This couple thought they knew what they were getting into when they bought an Indian Village home in 2024. They expected repairs. They didn’t expect a $45K tax bill. That kind of sticker shock is becoming more common in Detroit’s housing market. The latest from @amondry.bsky.social:
Detroit property taxes: Why they can skyrocket for new homebuyers
As Detroit’s home values increase, high property tax rates are causing unintended consequences for homebuyers and sellers.
outliermedia.org
In Michigan, property tax increases are capped until a home changes owners. Once it sells, taxes can jump sharply. The city’s rising home values are making those tax jumps far more expensive. Some new homebuyers are getting tax bills for $10K -- or more. outliermedia.org/detroit-high...
Detroit property taxes: Why they can skyrocket for new homebuyers
As Detroit’s home values increase, high property tax rates are causing unintended consequences for homebuyers and sellers.
outliermedia.org
A $45k property tax bill is bonkers - definitely not going to help more people transition to homeownership. Great reporting as usual by @amondry.bsky.social and @outliermedia.org outliermedia.org/detroit-high...
Detroit property taxes: Why they can skyrocket for new homebuyers
As Detroit’s home values increase, high property tax rates are causing unintended consequences for homebuyers and sellers.
outliermedia.org
I'll be hosting a Michigan movie-themed trivia next month! Questions will be about movie made by or starring Michiganders or set or filmed in Michigan. Join us at the Senate Theater on May 19! @outliermedia.org outliermedia.org/listings/eve...
Trivia: Outlier Media x Senate Theater · Outlier Media
Senate Theater6424 Michigan AvenueDetroit, MI 48210 Join Outlier Media for a Michigan film–themed trivia night at Detroit’s historic Senate Theater,
outliermedia.org
Big news in city's lawsuit against RealT: The two sides have agreed for a third-party to take over control of the crypto real estate company's extensive Detroit portfolio until at least the end of October. outliermedia.org/realt-detroi...
Detroit crypto landlord RealT cedes portfolio control to third party
The City of Detroit reached an agreement with crypto landlord RealT to cede control of its portfolio to a third party.
outliermedia.org
@outliermedia.org is reporting on DTE electric rate hikes and shutoffs. If you’ve experienced difficulty with affordability, billing or shutoff and would be willing to talk to a reporter, please reach out to me at briana@outliermedia.org or text Detroit to 67485*.
Have you or someone you know struggled to buy or sell a home because the transaction would cause the property taxes to skyrocket? I want to talk to you. Send me a message here or aaron@outliermedia.org.
Mayor Mary Sheffield plans to spend $6.5 million on home repair. But it doesn’t come close to what’s needed, leaving many Detroiters living in unsafe conditions. Here’s what you need to know, from @brianarice.bsky.social:
Detroit plans to spend more on home repair, but it’s not enough
Mayor Mary Sheffield’s proposed budget includes an increase in home repair funding — but it doesn’t come close to what’s needed.
outliermedia.org
Surreal moment: Rashida Tlaib brought up my reporting on RealT in a congressional hearing on tokenization! "The only reason we know about RealT is not because of our oversight work in Congress, but ... from local reporting in our city by a nonprofit news organization called @outliermedia.org"
Detroiters are caught in a home repair catch-22: In order to get loans they need to fix up their homes, they need homeowners insurance. But in order to get homeowners insurance, they need to fix up their homes. outliermedia.org/home-insuran...
Home insurance: Detroit owners stuck in catch-22 for home repair
Detroit homeowners can’t fix homes without insurance. But they can’t get insurance without repairs.
outliermedia.org
BREAKING: Detroit filed a petition to withhold all RealT properties that are subject to tax foreclosure. The judge over seeing its lawsuit granted it. More than 300 RealT properties were at risk of foreclosure for 2023 tax debt.
1/ Today, we overwhelmingly voted to authorize a STRIKE as we fight for a fair contract with @propublica.org.
