Sam Stragand

Sam Stragand is the senior program manager for the Detroit Partnership on Economic Mobility at Poverty Solutions, where he works with community partners to conduct research and evaluation projects in Detroit. Prior to joining Poverty Solutions, Stragand worked with several Detroit organizations while completing his Masters in Public Policy at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy. With the City of Detroit’s Housing & Revitalization Department, he helped produce an informational guide on the rights and responsibilities of renting in Detroit. At Detroit Future City, Stragand authored a publication titled, A Detroit Homebuyer’s Guide to Overcoming Mortgage Application Obstacles.

Prior to the Ford School, Stragand practiced landlord-tenant and housing discrimination law at fair housing organizations in both St. Louis and Detroit. Stragand co-founded a nonprofit, the St. Louis Mediation Project, focused on providing no-cost mediations in St. Louis’ housing courts, and continues to serve on its Board of Directors. Stragand also taught courses on landlord-tenant law and mediation as an adjunct professor at Washington University School of Law, his alma mater.

Stragand grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and received his B.A. in philosophy from Grinnell College in Iowa. After graduating, Stragand served two years in Peace Corps Turkmenistan. Stragand lives on the east side of Detroit with his partner Claire and their dog Lassi.