Two familiar fixtures on Washington Boulevard may soon have a new landlord, and this one would be public. The Detroit Housing Commission is exploring a deal to buy a pair of longtime downtown senior-housing buildings, the historic Kamper tower north of Grand River and the smaller Stevens building to the south, which together offer roughly 165 affordable units for older Detroiters. A sale could shift how the buildings are run and maintained for residents who depend on subsidized rents.
According to Crain's Detroit Business, the commission is in preliminary talks to acquire the Kamper and Stevens properties. The outlet reports that the discussions are still early, with no public purchase price or closing timeline, and identifies the sites as the paired buildings that sit north and south of Grand River along Washington Boulevard.
The Buildings At A Glance
Marketed together as Kamper Stevens, the two properties sit inside the Washington Boulevard historic district. The 22-story Louis Kamper, also known as the Industrial tower, is listed as 1410 Washington Boulevard, according to Affordable Housing Hub. The Stevens building to the south is listed at 1258 Washington Boulevard, per Historic Detroit.
Combined, the buildings provide 165 low-income senior units and were placed in service in 2018. Their financing package included 4 percent low-income housing tax credits and HOME funds, according to Affordable Housing Hub.
How They Got Here
The Kamper and Stevens buildings changed hands in 2016, when a joint venture led by The Roxbury Group and Invest Detroit bought the pair and pledged to keep them as affordable senior housing while carrying out renovations. At the time, the buyers and managers said they were planning about 10 million dollars in upgrades to building systems and common areas in order to stabilize occupancy. That sale and the subsequent management shift are detailed in materials from the ownership and management team. Fourmidable Group reported on the 2016 acquisition and renovation work.
What A DHC Purchase Would Mean
If the Detroit Housing Commission ultimately buys the Kamper and Stevens, two federally subsidized, tax-credit-backed properties would move into public ownership. That could further secure affordable rents for current and future tenants, although it would also trigger a series of regulatory steps.
Because the buildings were financed with 4 percent LIHTC and HOME funds, any change in ownership or management requires notification to, and in many cases approval from, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, in line with the agency’s compliance rules. The Kamper Stevens waitlist is already handled by the Detroit Housing Commission, a setup that could streamline how new tenants are placed while the authority and the state iron out responsibilities tied to funding and property management, according to guidance from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
For now, talks remain in the early stages. Any transfer would depend on negotiated terms, state approvals, and any federal program requirements linked to the properties. This story will be updated as officials release documents or statements that clarify next steps and timing.
