Detroit Evening Report, June 29, 2022: City of Detroit secures $12M to build nearly 500 units of affordable housing

Welcome to the Detroit Evening Report, a daily round-up of news that city residents need to know.

The City of Detroit has secured $12.1 million to continue building nearly 500 units of affordable housing. The 486 units were jeopardized due to rising construction costs and labor shortages. The additional funding comes from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), according to Mayor Mike Duggan and state officials. Six major housing developments in the city were at risk. To cover those surging construction costs, the city and the developers requested additional Low Income Housing Tax Credits from MSHDA.

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield says she’s excited to see more resources available for all residents.

“The Ruth Ellis Center, which is going to be providing 42 housing units for at-risk, LGBTQ youth that is expected to open this fall, is key to the revitalization of the city. We have a lot of homeless youth in Detroit. And so having this project move forward now with this low income housing tax credit is so important to move Detroit forward.”

Completion of these 486 units will help get the city closer to its goal of building 2,000 new units of affordable housing and preserving another 10,000 existing affordable housing units that were at risk of converting to market rate.

Other headlines for June 29, 2022:

• City officials and community leaders unveil income-based water affordability plan
• Grants to support improvements at parks and public spaces throughout city
• Detroit Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship seeks artist or collaborative team to create a mural
• Pistons’ latest acquisitions essentially eliminate team from signing top restricted free agents