Detroit Breaks Ground on $80M Brush Park Development With 211 Affordable Units

Detroit officials broke ground on an $80 million project that will bring 211 units of affordable and permanent supportive housing to Brush Park. The ceremony took place Nov. 14 beside the historic Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center.

Four new buildings will rise from this site. MHT Housing, Inc. and Kirsten's Touch, Inc., led by Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, are developing them. Every unit will price rent according to household incomes between 30%-80% of the area median income.

Three buildings named Brewster I, II, and III will each contain 53 units for a total of 159 units. Each received a 9% low-income housing tax credit from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. One-bedroom units begin at $368 monthly. Two-bedroom apartments start at $438.

The fourth building, called The Sanctuary at Brewster, will provide 52 units of permanent supportive housing for residents experiencing chronic homelessness. Project-based vouchers will support The Sanctuary's one-bedroom units, ensuring residents pay no more than 30% of their income toward rent.

"Today is about rebuilding a neighborhood and about rebuilding lives," said Mayor Mike Duggan. "The Sanctuary at Brewster will ensure that some of our most vulnerable residents have stable housing, supportive services, and the chance to heal and thrive — right here in the heart of our city."

The city's Continuum of Care Coordinated Assessment Model will send all referrals to The Sanctuary. Priority goes to households who have experienced long-term homelessness and have a disability. Teams will deliver over 60 hours of weekly on-site support at no cost to residents.

Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan and Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, working with Kirsten's Touch, will provide case management and peer support specialists. Services will concentrate on five areas: education, physical and mental health, workforce development, life skills, and legal assistance.

MHT Housing is the largest developer of affordable housing in Michigan. Brewster stands as the organization's largest project to date in the city.

Financing for the project includes City of Detroit HOME funding, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity, MSHDA HOME-ARP and permanent lending, and program-based housing vouchers. Fifth Third Bank provided debt and equity financing.

The larger redevelopment also includes restoring the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center, where Joe Louis used to train and Diana Ross played as a child. KRONK Gym will return to the recreation center and will soon open.

All four buildings should finish by 2027. The recreation center targets completion in 2026.