In a significant move toward addressing Detroit's housing needs, the Detroit Housing Commission (DHC) announced an ambitious plan to reconstruct the Villages of Parkside public housing, increasing the number of units nearly fourfold, according to details shared by DHC CEO Arthur Jemison and Mayor Mike Duggan in a recent public briefing. As the City of Detroit reported, the historic east side community will see a $180 million transformation, turning 52 acres of deteriorating structures into a mixed-income residential area.

The first step in the six-phase project begins this fall, with two phases creating 214 new units that will replace the current ones housing around 125 residents. Many buildings originally constructed in the 1930s have seen better days. This development, which is near Chandler Park, was Detroit's first venture into public housing.

Partnering with Amin Irving and Ginosko Development Company, DHC's initiative includes securing funding through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The funding approach backs the first two phases of Parkside's redevelopment. It supports other affordable housing ventures in Detroit, such as Gesu Senior Housing and the project at 725 Amsterdam, which will introduce 76 units to the city's housing stock.

These efforts are part of DHC's broader mission to revamp Detroit's housing landscape. This drive also features senior affordable housing developments like Gesu Senior Housing, which provides 36 units to seniors with incomes ranging between 30% and 80% of the area's median. In addition to the tax credit award, publicly announced commitments from local partners signal robust support for the ongoing transformation of Parkside, with collaboration from the likes of Henry Ford Health and the Detroit Pistons basketball team.