Detroit is now home to a new $29.3 million affordable senior housing community, thanks to the combined efforts of city and state officials and private partners. Unveiling the Dr. Violet T. Lewis Village, named after the founder of Michigan’s only Historically Black College and University, this development promises over 100 affordable homes for senior citizens. Detroit's official website announced that the much-anticipated project was celebrated by Mayor Mike Duggan, City Council Member Angela Whitfield Calloway, State Representative Regina Weiss, and others at the historic site of the former Lewis College of Business, located at 17370 Meyers Road.
The multifaceted project, which merges historic renovation with new construction, is not just any housing development as it represents a significant undertaking that began back in spring 2024, Amy Albery, CEO of Wallick, proclaimed their commitment to providing secure housing for people of varying incomes as they age, and their partnership with Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM) signifies a promising future, Roger Myers, PVM's President & CEO, highlighted their continued service to Detroit seniors which began around three decades ago with The Village of Bethany Manor, he welcomed this historic expansion with open arms. The funding mosaic includes federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits via the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, alongside crucial assistance from multiple city and state resources, as detailed in the same Detroit news release.
Designed to be 100% affordable, Dr. Violet T. Lewis Village features apartments accommodating residents earning between 30% to 80% of the area median income (AMI), with rents tailored across a spectrum from $427 to $983 a month. In addition, the community will provide diverse amenities, including a fitness area and community space, ensuring a combination of comfort and utility for senior residents. This information is grounded in the details provided by the city's announcement.
The LIHTC program, which is instrumental in realizing projects like Dr. Violet T. Lewis Village, boasts of being a catalyst for more than 119,000 affordable homes across Michigan, not only does the village stand as a testament to this, but it also ensconces the revered memory of an educational institution that once broke barriers and cultivated minds.
