Seniors living at the Rev. Dr. Jim Holley Residences on Woodward Avenue say the leasing office that was supposed to be their on-site lifeline now sits mostly dark, most days. In its place, they report, are phone numbers taped to the glass where staff once worked. Residents say that swap has made both emergencies and everyday hassles tougher to handle, and several tenants say police and fire crews have shown up to the building when no staff member was around to assist.
Residents Say Full-Time Office Turned Into Empty Window
Tenants told ClickOnDetroit the complex previously had a full-time manager on-site for about 40 hours a week, a presence they say disappeared roughly three to four months ago. Since then, phone numbers posted on the office glass have become the only official way to reach anyone, and some older and disabled residents say they feel abandoned when alarms go off or medical needs suddenly arise.
Management Cites Budget Shuffle, Promises Part-Time Help
ClickOnDetroit also spoke with the regional manager, who said the full-time leasing role was eliminated in a budget "redo" and replaced with a part-time leasing employee. "They manage Reverend Holley and then another building which is maybe a mile, a mile and a half, down the street," the manager told the station, adding that tenants are being instructed to call the posted numbers when they need help.
City Touted Building as Deeply Affordable Senior Housing
The Rev. Dr. Jim Holley Residences opened in late 2023 as a 60-unit, deeply affordable senior development funded through low-income housing tax credits and project-based vouchers administered by the Detroit Housing Commission, which keep unit rents at or below 30% of residents' incomes, according to the City of Detroit. The building's own site lists weekday office hours of 8 a.m.–5 p.m., a level of coverage residents say is not happening in real life, per the property listing on the Rev. Dr. Jim Holley Residences page.
Property Manager Offers Phone Contacts, Tenants Want People
Continental Management appears to handle leasing and communications for the Holley building; the property page directs inquiries to a continentalmgt.com email address, and the company lists dozens of affordable properties across Michigan. Tenants told reporters that a sheet of taped-up phone numbers is not an adequate stand-in for staff who can open doors, coordinate emergency access with first responders and assist people with mobility challenges.
Tenants Push Back and Are Urged to Document Every Incident
Residents say they are pushing management and city officials for clearer, more reliable coverage, while advocates recommend documenting every incident and hanging on to photos or written records of missed responses. For residents in voucher-assisted buildings, the Detroit Housing Commission provides tenant services and may serve as another channel for complaints or questions.
For now, tenants say they want a restored in-person presence so seniors using wheelchairs or relying on quick help are not left waiting alone. Several residents say they hope management will revisit staffing once the company finishes its budget review, and that local leaders will press for a fix if the problems continue.
