In a city where the echo of stalled dreams once haunted empty streets, hope is taking root once again. On Bridgeport Street in Inkster, bulldozers and blueprints signal a new construction site, the rebirth of a neighborhood, and a promise fulfilled two decades in the making.
Gajewski Homes LLC, a minority- and woman-owned firm led by lifelong Inkster resident ShaWanna Gajewski, is set to break ground on Annapolis Pointe, a $21 million affordable housing development that will bring 72 new homes to the city. This development marks the first major residential investment in Inkster in decades. For a city still grappling with the lasting scars of the 2008 housing crash, the project offers a second chance at the American dream for many who otherwise couldn’t imagine it.
“We’re creating an entire market at a price point that doesn’t currently exist in Inkster,” said Gajewski, the CEO and general contractor of the project. “This project will empower low to moderate income buyers by providing homebuyer education, financial literacy programs, and post-closing support to ensure long-term stability for residents.”
The homes — a mix of ranch- and colonial-style models ranging from 1,300 to 1,600 square feet — are priced between $240,000 and $350,000, targeting families earning 60% to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Modular homebuilders Champion Homes and Ritz-Craft Homes are serving as the project’s architects, with construction set to roll out in phases over the next four years.
This development marks a critical intervention in Michigan’s affordable housing crisis, where a deficit of nearly 190,000 affordable units, according to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), continues to displace working-class families and exacerbate economic disparities across the state. Nearly half of Michigan renters are considered “cost-burdened,” spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Annapolis Pointe is a counterpoint to that trend.
The location itself tells a story of unrealized potential. Originally conceived in the early 2000s, the neighborhood saw 19 homes built before the economic downturn halted all progress. What was meant to be a thriving enclave became a symbol of how fragile the American dream can be. But now, thanks to a vision rooted in both memory and momentum, the neighborhood is getting a second life.
For Gajewski, this project is deeply personal. She grew up in Inkster. She found her calling in the housing industry while working with Pastor John Hearn Jr. of Western Wayne Urban Community Development — a local nonprofit and partner on the project. The Hearn family, widely respected for their work in Westland’s nearby Westshire subdivision, has long championed affordable housing and community-driven revitalization.
“The City of Inkster is thrilled to be part of this development,” Mayor Byron H. Nolen said in a statement. “We sold the land for the project and worked hand-in-hand to ensure we’re providing new affordable housing opportunities for our residents. We hope Annapolis Pointe will attract people to Inkster and spur additional residential developments.”
Beyond bricks and mortar, Annapolis Pointe represents a holistic approach to neighborhood-building. Gajewski is collaborating with local trade schools to create training and job opportunities for Inkster’s youth, providing hands-on experience in construction trades and expanding the economic ripple effect across the city.
“If you own a home, you’re invested,” said Gajewski. “We want a thriving community based on a higher percentage of homeowners. I can’t wait to see kids riding bikes through this neighborhood. I get emotional thinking about it. This community opened doors for me, and it’s an honor to give back and help others build their futures here.”
In a time when economic forces continue to push the dream of homeownership out of reach for many, Annapolis Pointe represents resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of returning home to build something better.