Detroit Renovates Historic Apartment Buildings For Affordable Housing

DETROIT — Two renovated historic apartment buildings in Southwest Detroit will offer 40 units of affordable housing, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Southwest Solutions announced Monday.

The Savannah and Wilshire apartment buildings, located at 250 W. Grand Blvd. and 33 W. Grand Blvd., were updated with flooring, countertops, appliances and HVAC systems, such as electrical and plumbing.

The building itself also got new or repaired windows, a new roof and landscaping, new hallway flooring and masonry and foundation repairs.

During the renovations, residents were temporarily relocated, and will be able to move back into the Savannah moving back this month and the Wilshire at the end of January.

The Savannah, which was built in 1926, was last renovated in 1999 and includes three studios, 15 one-bedroom units, two bedroom units.

All units will be at 60 percent area median income, with a studio being $940 a month, a one-bedroom being $1,007 and a two-bedroom being $1,209 for a month, according to city officials.

The Wilshire, also built-in 1926 features four units that are at 50 percent area median income and 16 at 60 percent area median income.

In other words, rent will be as low as $783 a month for a studio and $839 a month for a one-bedroom. There are seven studios and 13 one-bedrooms.

"We have made a commitment to Detroiters that we were going to create and preserve affordable housing in neighborhoods all over our city," Mayor Duggan said. "I’d like to congratulate Southwest Solutions and thank them for helping our efforts of creating a more affordable Detroit for all."

The renovations are part of a $7.8 million investment into the Hubbard-Richard community.