Long-Term Solutions Address Needs of Detroit’s Homeless

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The Pope Francis Center broke ground on a Bridge Housing Campus that will provide 40 studio apartments as temporary shelter to people for 90-120 days. During that time, the project will offer social and job-preparation services and comprehensive medical care that addresses physical, psychological and addiction needs. The project is part of a long-term plan to  solve the root causes of  chronic homelessness in Detroit by 2030.  People who stay in the studio apartments will transition to permanent supportive housing. The facility is scheduled to open mid-2023. Construction will begin in early 2022. Mayor Duggan sees this project as a potential national model.

 

 

Expiring Covid Mortgage Bailouts Problematic for Thousands

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As Covid-related mortgage bailout programs expire, hundreds of thousands of homeowners may lose or sell their homes. Out of options, borrowers who lost too much income or their businesses during the pandemic could take advantage of high equity in their homes and sell. However, data shows that has not been the trend. About a third of borrowers with at least 40% equity in their homes still go into foreclosure. Over 7 million bailed out borrowers are current on their mortgage payments. Some sold their homes or refinanced them to afford the mortgages. About half a million are in loss litigation with lenders.

 

Grand Rapids Management Company Plans More Affordable Housing

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Grand Rapids-based property management company Eenhoorn LLC purchased a mixed-use building with 235 market-rate apartments in downtown Grand Rapids. The $50.7 million building includes shared amenities such as a courtyard, fitness center, parking garage and retail space. Eenhoorn is working closely with the city to reserve up to 20% of the units for tenants earning between 80-90% of the area median income. The company hopes to address the housing gap for wage earners who are priced out of high quality units in low income housing projects and full market rate apartments. 

 

 

Asphalt Facility Proposed for Detroit’s Former Farmer Jack Headquarters

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The old Farmer Jack Headquarters in northwest Detroit may soon be the new home of an asphalt mixing facility. The Pontiac-based company, Asphalt Specialists, is proposing the $1.5 million plant. The company currently employees more than 100 employees, including truck drivers and maintenance. The plant would add 40-50 jobs. The plant would include an office and scale house for measuring 3,000-4,000 square feet of product. A dust collection system would collect 98-99% of the odors.

 

 

 

Sale Pending For Popular Nightlife Hotspots

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Grand Rapids’ The B.O.B. and the 20 Monroe Live concert venue may soon be changing hands. Sales are pending for both nightlife hot spots. There are two separate unidentified buyers, and both deals should close early next year. The B.O.B. was listed for $15.5 million and 20 Monroe Live for $16.5 million. The B.O.B. houses 3 restaurants, a brewery, a nightclub and a comedy club. 20 Monroe Live is a concert venue that can seat up to 2,600 patrons.

 

 

Real Estate One Academy Wants More Required Training Hours

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According to Bonnie Richter, the director of the Real Estate One Academty, real estate education needs to change to keep up with the needs of consumers. Real Estate One is pairing new agents with experience Realtors in an effort to keep more people in the field. Richter says there’s an enormous interest in real estate careers. Classes are full and in high demand, but the longevity is not there. People don’t expect the career to be as demanding as it is. Richter believes that license instruction should require more hours (60 at a minimum), as there isn’t enough time to get all of the information in with the existing instruction requirements. In addition, beefing up the instruction time would better protect consumers so that licensed real estate professionals would have the needed expertise.

 

 

Farmington Hills Council Considers Hotel Conversion Project

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In June, Farmington Hills Council members approved a Planned Unit Development to convert a hotel on 12 Mile Road into a senior housing complex. This week, city officials will look at the agreement that finalizes the project details. Manor Senior Living wants to convert the Radisson hotel’s rooms into 217 memory care units, 51 assisted living, and  56 independent living units. When the PUD was approved, five senior housing projects were in the works. Since then, St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher property proposals have stalled.

 

Corktown Apartment Tenants Have Water and Heat Restored

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Tenants of Corktown’s Victor Attar Court apartments have had their water and heat restored over the weekend. They were previously told they would have to relocate because of health and safety concerns. The building’s owner received 22 tickets amounting to $13,142, according to the city’s Buildings, Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department. The apartment residents were notified last week that if the landlord did not restore heat and water and bring the building up to code, they would have to vacate the building. Real Estate developer Emre Uralli is listed as the trustee of 1324 Porter Street Trust, the entity that bought the property when it was in foreclosure. Uralli claims he was unaware of the heating issues and the tickets. They’ve since met with inspectors and cooperating with them.

Jefferson-Chalmers Neighborhood Now Part of FEMA Flood Plain

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The Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood has been prone to flooding for years. The neighborhood is bordered by Clairpointe Street, Jefferson Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park, and the Detroit River. Due to climate change, rising water levels in Lake St. Clair are spilling over into the Detroit River causing residents to experience regular flooding with no permanent infrastructure fix in sight. Raising the seawall in Jefferson Chalmers by almost 2 feet would solve the problem, but the multi-million dollar cost and the private property ownership along the Detroit side of the river complicate matters. While FEMA does not look at a community’s infrastructure to determine its flood hazard status, it may change that practice, according to the regional flood insurance liaison for FEMA’s Region 5 in the Midwest.

 

 

Director of Planning and Development Engages Neighborhoods in Revitalization Efforts

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The director of Detroit Planning and Development, Antoine Bryant, thinks of Detroit as a “city of neighborhoods.” He has reached out to residents to talk about blight, flight and a lack of investment in neighborhoods that have felt left behind while Detroit’s downtown and community corridors have gained attention. Bryant has intentions to grow Detroit with projects that preserver architectural history and value the input of neighbors. In an effort to avoid building up downtown commercial sectors first, Bryant intends to engage neighborhoods as part of the revitalization process. His primary goal is to connect with residents in all of Detroit’s 200 neighborhoods while working through challenges with food deserts, vacant land and safety.