The Residences at St. Matthew, a freshly minted affordable housing development, has officially opened its doors in the East Side of Detroit, rising from the shell of the long-abandoned St. Matthew School and adjacent buildings. According to an announcement from Detroit's local government, the historic site at 6000 Audubon Road has been reborn, now boasting 46 affordable apartments tailored to low-income residents, with a special provision ensuring that 25 units are dedicated to Permanent Supportive Housing for formerly homeless individuals, a commitment that's backed by Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan (CCSEM) and Cinnaire Solutions.
Community leaders and project collaborators were in attendance to celebrate the significant contribution to Detroit's housing market, which adds to the city's goal of fostering inclusive growth and development, the opening took place yesterday with noteworthy figures like Julie Schneider, head of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department, emphasizing the project's importance beyond construction, she described it as a beacon for "restoring dignity, creating stability, and honoring our neighborhoods' rich histories," as mentioned on the City of Detroit website. The project, not only provides a sturdy roof overhead but also keeps the fabric of Detroit's cultural history intact by revamping the architectural relic that is the former St. Matthew School.
Tracing back to its foundation in 1926, St. Matthew Parish has always been a cornerstone of the local community—rooted in faith, education, and service—its educational arm, the St. Matthew School, shuttered in 2008 but left a legacy of learning and community engagement behind. This redevelopment holds a personal significance for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who fondly reminisced about being baptized at the church back in 1958, he lauded the project for extending the church’s mission of caring for the needy, in his words captured by the City of Detroit press release.
The Residences at St. Matthew project landed a spot in Catholic Charities USA's national Healthy Housing Initiative, seeking to merge affordable housing with health services, and with CCSEM being one of only five agencies nationwide chosen to pioneer this model; the initiative taps into the close proximity to Henry Ford St. John Hospital for providing integrated health services to residents. CEO of CCSEM, Paul Propson, expressed pride in achieving the dual purpose of commemorating the history of St. Matthew’s Parish and serving a crucial need for affordable housing in Detroit, according to an interview published by Detroit's local government.
A culmination of shared efforts, the $20.49 million redevelopment was fueled by a spectrum of financial sources including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Federal Home Loan Bank funds, City of Detroit HOME funds, and Historic Tax Credits, this interlocking support not only salvaged a piece of Detroit's historical landscape but also ignited new possibilities for its less fortunate citizens—put eloquently by MSHDA Development Director Chad Benson in a comment to Detroit's government website, "This project not only preserves a historic building; it provides 46 individuals and families—including more than half who have experienced chronic homelessness—with a safe, stable, and affordable place to live."
