MSHDA Board Approves Funding for Eight Housing Development Projects

Media Contacts: 

Katie Bach, BachK@michigan.gov  
Anna Vicari, VicariA@michigan.gov

Investments will preserve or create more than 675 affordable housing units

Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Board approved loans of more than $137.5 million for eight affordable housing projects across the state, helping advance Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s five-year goal of creating or rehabilitating 75,000 housing units by FY2026.

The projects represent a mix of new construction and rehabilitation work that will create safer, more attainable housing in Michigan, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing.

“The efforts of the MSHDA Board will go a long way in expanding access to safe, quality, attainable housing for individuals and families across Michigan,” said Chad Benson, rental development director for MSHDA. “While we recognize there’s still work to do to increase Michigan’s stock of affordable housing, each of these projects represents a significant investment toward enhancing housing stability for those who need it.”

The board’s approvals come on the heels of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order that establishes a Statewide Housing Partnership as an advisory body within MSHDA. The group will include leaders from state, local, and tribal governments, advocates from nonprofit and community organizations, and representatives from the business advocacy world and finance industry.

The partnership’s primary responsibility will be to develop a strategy to implement the Michigan Statewide Housing Plan released this year and make recommendations to MSHDA on how best to achieve its goals. The plan presented opportunities for organizations to partner on common objectives, including rehabilitating and stabilizing the housing supply, reducing equity gaps and homelessness, and increasing home energy efficiency and weatherization.

Here’s a brief overview of the loan commitments the board approved during its regular meeting last week:

• Academy Manor (Grand Rapids): A $5,150,000 loan was approved for the acquisition and rehabilitation of the property, which consists of 56 affordable elderly housing units. The renovation work will create 22 permanent jobs and 81 temporary jobs.
• Clawson Manor (City of Clawson): The project will receive over $32 million in MSHDA loans to support the preservation and rehabilitation of 251 affordable housing units for seniors. Some of the property upgrades in the proposal include a new roof, windows, and HVAC system, as well as upgrades to the fire alarm system, common areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and signage.
• Dauner Haus Apartments (City of Fenton): Encompassing two separate multifamily properties, this development was approved for over $28 million in loans to preserve and upgrade 192 affordable housing units for seniors and families. Property improvements include repairing or replacing damaged concrete, walkways and patios, HVAC units, and privacy fencing. The loans will also be used to upgrade kitchens, bathrooms, and other in-unit amenities for residents.
• Hubbard Farms Apartments (Detroit): Over $9.3 in MSHDA loans will be used to preserve 60 family units within three historic buildings in Detroit, each of which will receive extensive rehabilitation to continue providing safe, decent housing for current and future residents.
• Merrill Place II (Detroit): Construction on a new, 27-unit, mixed-use multifamily development designed specifically for residents seeking proximity to the expanding medical center campus, New Center and Midtown areas of Detroit will receive over $6 million in MSHDA support.
• Ridgewood Vista Apartments (Leoni Township): The property between Jackson and Ann Arbor will receive more than $20 million in loans from MSHDA to preserve and rehabilitate 150 affordable family units. The loans will be used to replace windows, roofing, vinyl siding, damaged concrete and more. Some of the residential unit upgrades include new kitchen flooring, cabinets and Energy Star refrigerators, new bathroom tubs and surrounds, low flow toilets, lighting, and doors.
• South Hill Apartments (Milford): Eighty family units and 40 senior units will be preserved and rehabilitated using over $18.5 million in approved MSHDA loans. Property improvements contained within the scope of work include upgrades like LED lighting fixtures and programmable thermostats, new windows, kitchen and bathroom upgrades and more.
• Walter French (Lansing): The property is comprised of two projects that will receive over $18.2 million combined in MSHDA support to turn the Walter French Junior High School building into 76 affordable housing units.

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