CHN Housing Partners (CHN) and Detroit Blight Busters (DBB) have announced the start of construction on a new residential development in Detroit, Michigan, US.

Located at 21566 Orchard Street, the Orchard Village Apartments project comprises a 48-unit affordable housing development.

Co-developed by CHN and DBB, the development will be constructed on nine currently vacant sites near Lahser and the Grand River neighbourhood.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) awarded Orchard Village Apartments a competitive 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit for use in the project. The tax credit grant will cover approximately $10.9m of the projected $15.7m development cost.

CHN president and CEO Kevin Nowak said: “With support from mayor [Mike] Duggan, Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department, [Detroit] City Council president Pro Tem Tate, and MSHDA, we are expanding access to affordable housing and creating safe and quality housing for Detroiters.” 

LOHA Architects and JGJ Construction have both been appointed to help realise the project while CHN will manage the property.

Construction is expected to be completed late next year.

Residents will also have access to the site's community and commercial centre. The project has been designated as affordable and will be available to people with qualifying incomes ranging from 30% to 60% area median income.

DBB executive director John George said: “Over the past 35 years executive director Blight Busters has been tearing down blighted homes that have been a danger to our community.

“Orchard Village is an opportunity to literally build up our community and take our work to the next level. It’s a full circle moment for us and we don’t intend to slow down.”