Boarded-up homes once lined West Euclid Street, standing as symbols of what once was. Now, these same houses are seeing a new chapter unfold. Construction began this month to transform these properties into 20 affordable housing units for families earning 60% or less of the area median income (AMI). This project, known as West Euclid Gateway, brings a new vision to Detroit’s Virginia Park neighborhood. With support from the Detroit Housing for the Future Fund (DHFF) and a collective effort led by Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation (CDC) and 360 Detroit, the project marks a significant step toward affordable housing solutions in Detroit.
The West Euclid Gateway development includes eight duplexes and a four-plex, all of which have sat vacant for years. When complete, these units will provide quality, affordable housing to Detroit families in need. Each unit will be fully renovated, with features like updated kitchens, laundry hookups, and basements. The homes range from 1,000 to 1,200 square feet and offer two bedrooms and one bath, designed to provide comfortable living spaces for working families. Rent prices will remain affordable for the next 11 years, ensuring long-term housing stability for residents.
Mayor Mike Duggan attended the groundbreaking ceremony along with other city officials, LISC Detroit, and community developers. Duggan’s message to the community centered on the importance of preserving affordable housing in neighborhoods that have begun to see new investments.
“West Euclid Gateway is bringing much-needed affordable multifamily housing to the area,” Duggan stated. “Thanks to our funders and the Detroit Housing for the Future Fund, we can continue building a city where people of all income levels are able to live in any neighborhood. These properties will bring life back to the community and provide quality affordable family housing in a neighborhood that is starting to see a lot of new investment.”
The efforts of Central Detroit Christian and 360 Detroit go beyond just building housing. For years, these organizations have been focused on uplifting the Virginia Park neighborhood and its residents. Lisa Johnson, the executive director of CDC, has seen firsthand the impact that revitalizing housing can have on a community. Over the years, her team has renovated 244 housing units and built nine new homes, always keeping the needs of low- to moderate-income families at the forefront.
“The transformation we are seeing and will continue to see as housing units come online is amazing,” Johnson shared. “We are bringing vacant and abandoned housing back to life.”
George Adams Jr., founder of 360 Detroit, remembers the beginning of this journey. In 2014, Adams and his neighbor took it upon themselves to board up several vacant properties on West Euclid. They saw how these vacant buildings affected their neighborhood and took action. Nearly a decade later, Adams is now witnessing the result of that initiative.
“Nearly a decade later, we now have the opportunity to be part of their revitalization—an effort that will reshape the neighborhood and leave a lasting impact for generations to come,” Adams reflected.
This project is possible due to the collaboration of several key partners, including the Detroit Housing for the Future Fund (DHFF), LISC Detroit, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), and the Gilbert Family Foundation. Each of these organizations has played a critical role in funding and supporting the West Euclid Gateway project. The DHFF, in particular, has been instrumental in directing private capital toward creating and preserving affordable housing in Detroit. Anchored by a $15 million commitment from JPMorgan Chase and a $10 million guarantee from The Kresge Foundation, the DHFF continues to be a driving force in Detroit’s housing market.
Darnell Adams, Vice President of Detroit Community Initiatives at the Gilbert Family Foundation, spoke about the foundation’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth in Detroit’s neighborhoods.
“Our mission at the Gilbert Family Foundation is to drive inclusive growth and opportunity within Detroit’s neighborhoods,” Adams said. “This project supports that goal by creating more long-term affordable housing in a rapidly growing neighborhood and supporting two vital neighborhood nonprofits.”
This phase of the West Euclid Gateway development follows the foundation’s previous investment in single-family home and duplex renovations in the same area. The partnership continues to work toward a shared vision of creating opportunities for affordable homeownership and long-term rental options in neighborhoods that have been historically underserved.
As Detroit faces ongoing challenges related to housing inequality, projects like West Euclid Gateway stand as examples of what can be achieved when community organizations and private funders come together. LISC Detroit and DHFF are at the forefront of these efforts, with the shared goal of ensuring that Detroit remains a city where residents of all income levels can find stable, affordable housing.
“DHFF and LISC Detroit are expanding affordable housing options for Detroiters, and the West Euclid Gateway project is a prime example of what can be achieved through partnerships,” said Michael T. Pugh, President & CEO of LISC. “By aligning private capital with community organizations, we’re creating quality, affordable housing and driving sustainable growth in historically underserved neighborhoods.”
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) also played a key role in this project, providing financial support through its Missing Middle Housing Program. Chad Benson, Development Director at MSHDA, emphasized how targeted investments in housing can drive growth in Detroit’s neighborhoods.
“This initiative is a prime example of how targeted investments in housing can drive revitalization in Detroit’s neighborhoods, providing affordable, quality homes for residents while contributing to the broader community’s growth,” Benson noted.
As West Euclid Gateway moves forward, it promises to breathe new life into Virginia Park and beyond. By turning vacant properties into homes for families, the project offers more than just housing. It provides stability, community, and hope for the future of Detroit’s neighborhoods. Through continued investment and collaboration, the future of affordable housing in Detroit looks promising, one project at a time.
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