Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) has served as the leading voice for Detroit’s community development sector for more than 20 years.

As a membership centered organization with more than 100 dues-paying members, CDAD advocates for public policies and resources that advance the work of nonprofit, community-based organizations and resident-led groups in Detroit neighborhoods who are engaged in physical development, land use planning, community organizing, and other activities designed to stabilize and revitalize the quality of life in Detroit. 

“The challenges facing our communities are too large to be tackled by any one organization.”

CDAD members are making an impact as independent research shows that our members have provided more than $250 million in economic development including new or rehabilitated units of affordable housing and more accessible commercial retail space. This figure does not include the countless hours of time and talent expended by residents in communities across the city in their efforts to mitigate blight, keep communities clean, and engage in resident safety patrols.

As a trusted resource and advocate on policy issues, CDAD is also stepping up its engagement with local government by helping to build out models for community engagement and collaboration. In this newest phase of its work, CDAD has worked with its members and the city to develop much needed infrastructure for neighborhood involvement, including developing policies and principles.