Mayor Sheffield joins partners celebrate construction of Gesu Senior Housing, bringing 36 affordable homes for Detroit Seniors to University District

• Historic parish expands nearly 100 years of service to the community through new affordable housing development

Mayor Mary Sheffield today joined representatives from Gesu Parish Detroit, MHT Housing, Inc., community leaders and development partners to celebrate the start of construction on Gesu Senior Housing, a new affordable housing community that will provide 36 high-quality homes for Detroit seniors in the heart of the University District neighborhood.

Located at 17181 Birchcrest Dr. directly across from the University of Detroit Mercy campus, the $14.6 million development will feature the renovation and repurposing of the historic Gesu Parish Center building, which was constructed in 1938, along with the construction of a new state of the art building to house future residents. The project will create 36 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments for seniors.

Gesu Senior Housing represents a partnership between Gesu Parish Detroit and MHT Housing, a nonprofit developer with more than three decades of experience creating affordable housing across Michigan.

"Every Detroiter deserves the opportunity to age with dignity in a safe, affordable home connected to the neighborhood they love," said Mayor Mary Sheffield. "Gesu Senior Housing reflects our administration's commitment to creating affordable housing in every corner of our city while partnering with institutions that have spent generations investing in Detroit residents. This development will help ensure seniors can remain in the community they've helped build."

"Gesu Parish has been a pillar of faith, service and community leadership in Northwest Detroit for generations, and this development is a powerful example of what can happen when institutions invest in the long-term well-being of their neighborhoods," said City Councilmember Angela Whitfield-Calloway. "Gesu Senior Housing will provide our seniors with safe, affordable homes while allowing them to remain connected to the community they helped build."

These homes will serve residents at a range of income levels, including eight units supported by Project-Based Vouchers through the Detroit Housing Commission to provide deeply affordable housing opportunities for seniors with the greatest needs.

"Through our 20-year Project-Based Voucher partnership, Gesu Senior Housing will provide deeply affordable homes for seniors with the greatest housing needs while connecting them to a vibrant neighborhood rich with services, transit and community amenities," said Arthur Jemison, Executive Director of the Detroit Housing Commission. "We are proud to partner with Gesu Parish, MHT Housing and the City of Detroit to create housing that allows Detroiters to remain rooted in the communities they call home. Today we celebrate progress, partnership, and the promise of a brighter future. We look forward to returning for the ribbon cutting and welcoming the first resident's home."

For nearly a century, Gesu Parish has been a cornerstone of faith, education and community service in Northwest Detroit. Founded in 1922 by Jesuit priests, the parish grew alongside the surrounding neighborhood after the Jesuits established a new campus near present-day Six Mile and Livernois. Over the decades, Gesu Church, School, Rectory and Convent became enduring landmarks and gathering places for generations of Detroit families.

Gesu has long worked to strengthen the surrounding community. In 2017, the parish expanded that mission by establishing the Gloryland Neighborhoods Development Corporation, which has rehabilitated and sold homes to families in the area while helping stabilize the neighborhood. Gesu Senior Housing marks the parish's first multifamily housing development and builds on its commitment to serving Detroit residents beyond the walls of the church.

"Gesu is creating a welcoming, empowering, and serving community for our seniors, Gesu Jesuit Catholic School, and our parish," said Father Lorn Snow, Pastor at the Gesu Catholic Church of Detroit. "We are truly becoming men and women for others in our vibrant city of Detroit."

Residents will have access to the Avenue of Fashion, University of Detroit Mercy, transit routes, neighborhood retail and community amenities. MHT Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing developer with more than three decades of experience, has developed nearly 8,000 affordable housing units across Michigan and currently owns or manages dozens of properties in Detroit. Gesu Senior Housing continues the organization's work of creating affordable communities that help residents thrive while supporting neighborhood revitalization.

"MHT could not be more proud to partner with Gesu to bring new life into this historic building that has anchored the parish campus for nearly 100 years and to transform it into high quality, accessible housing for Detroit's seniors as it enters its second century of service to the community," said Van Fox. "We are grateful to our partners at the parish and Archdiocese, to Bank of America, Independent Bank, CREA, MSHDA, Detroit Housing Commission, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, and the City of Detroit for helping bring this unique adaptive reuse and new construction development to fruition."

The City of Detroit is investing approximately $1.53 million in HOME funding to support the development. Additional financing includes Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), construction financing from Bank of America, permanent mortgage financing from Independent Bank, Affordable Housing Program support from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, and tax credit equity investment from CREA.

"MSHDA's investment in this development reflects our commitment to creating quality homes that honor the dignity, independence, and well-being of Michigan's older adults," said Amy Hovey, MSHDA Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. "We are proud to expand access to affordable housing opportunities for seniors and to strengthen the communities they have enriched for generations."

"Independent Bank is proud to support Gesu Senior Housing and our partners, MHT Housing and Gesu Parish Detroit, who are bringing this important development to life for Detroit seniors," said Jason Blain, Senior Commercial Banker at Independent Bank. "Projects like this are vital to strengthening neighborhoods, preserving community roots, and helping residents continue to live independently in the city they call home."

Construction is underway, with leasing anticipated following project completion in early Fall 2027.

About Gesu Parish Detroit

Founded in 1922, Gesu Parish is a Jesuit Catholic parish located in Detroit's University District neighborhood. For more than 100 years, the parish has served as a center of faith, education, community engagement and neighborhood service. Through its church, school and community initiatives, Gesu continues its mission of accompanying and serving Detroit residents while helping strengthen the surrounding community.

About MHT Housing

MHT Housing, Inc. is a nonprofit affordable housing developer dedicated to creating and preserving high-quality affordable housing throughout Michigan. Founded in 1990, MHT has developed nearly 8,000 affordable units and owns and/or manages more than 165 affordable housing communities statewide. Through partnerships with local communities, municipalities and nonprofit organizations, MHT develops housing that meets local needs while helping residents and neighborhoods thrive. MHT's portfolio includes housing for seniors, families, veterans and residents requiring supportive services.

Pictured: Renderings of Gesu Senior Housing