Groundbreaking news for Detroit seniors emerged as Mayor Mary Sheffield took a symbolic shovel to the dirt, marking the start of construction for the Greystone Senior Living Apartments—a beacon of affordable housing in Midtown. Teaming up with the Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation (CCNDC), this four-story development at 440 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is set to cater to the housing needs of older adults with incomes ranging from 30% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), according to an announcement from the City of Detroit.
Positioned on what has been an idle piece of land for the last two decades, the Greystone will not only provide 49 affordable apartments—24 one-bedroom units and 25 two-bedrooms but it also marks the initial affordable housing thrust under Mayor Sheffield's term, and it's one of the first projects benefiting from the expanded Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) initiative she promoted while on City Council, the initiative proffers tax breaks for developers in return for capped rents. "As many of our legacy residents reach their golden years, it’s vital that they have options to live affordably in quality housing," Mayor Sheffield told the City of Detroit, "The Greystone Senior Living Apartments is an example of how my administration will work aggressively to build more affordable housing, particularly for our Seniors."
The Greystone is more than just a building, it's a reflection of the four-decade mission of CCNDC to uphold affordable living and foster community involvement in Cass Corridor. Executive Director Patrick Dorn emphasized the significance of preserving the neighborhood for its original builders, asserting, "Greystone Senior Living is about honoring the people who built this neighborhood and making sure they’re not pushed out as it grows," as nted by the City of Detroit. CCNDC's roots dig deep into the local community, having evolved from a group of Vernon Murphy Apartments' tenants determined to take ownership away from absent landlords, they now manage 29 buildings with a total of 357 affordable housing units, alongside commercial spaces that serve the community.
Residents of Greystone will not only enjoy competitive rents starting at $458 per month; they will also benefit from a slew of services offered in collaboration with the St. Patrick Senior Center such as transportation, Wellness Clinic, meal services, and exercise classes—to name a few— SaTrice Coleman-Betts, Executive Director of St. Patrick Senior Center, described the partnership with Greystone Senior Living as a means to bring vital services right to the residents' doorstep, reaffirming, "Our partnership with Greystone Senior Living allows us to bring critical services directly to residents, so Detroit seniors can remain active & independent in the neighborhood they call home." The project stands as a $13.7 million testament to affordable housing and neighborhood continuity, supported by a combination of HOME funds, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and investments from multiple financial partners, as stated by the City of Detroit.
With G. Fisher Construction Company at the helm of construction and KMG Prestige taking on property management, the seniors of Detroit can look forward to moving into the Greystone Senior Living Apartments come 2027, when the building opens its doors to the community as articulated by the City of Detroit. This forward step promises to marry affordable living with accessibility in one of Detroit's most flourishing neighborhoods, ensuring that the golden years for many of Detroit's seniors can be spent in comfort and with the dignity they deserve.
