Mayor Duggan, CVS Health and MHT Housing Inc. celebrate grand opening of 86 affordable units in two of Detroit’s hottest neighborhoods

• 100% affordable project in Brush Park features 53 units, with many as low as 30% AMI or below.
• 100% affordable project in Midtown has 33 units, including a portion at 30% AMI or below.

Mayor Mike Duggan, City Council President Mary Sheffield, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and CVS Health joined developer MHT Housing Inc. today to celebrate the grand opening of two 100 percent affordable housing developments, helping to ensure that more Detroiters can afford to live in the communities they want to call home.

Brush Park Apartments, a $19-million development, features 53 affordable units and about 3,800 square feet of commercial space. A mile away is MLK on 2nd, a 33-unit, $11.5-million project that will also feature ground-floor commercial, bringing more amenities to not just residents of the building, but all Detroiters who call these neighborhoods home. Out of the combined 86 units across both developments, 63 will be deeply affordable for those earning 60 percent area median income (AMI) or below, with the remainder being available for households earning 80 percent AMI or below.

"Today is an example of the city we are building, where residents of all income levels can afford to live well in any neighborhood they choose, even our hottest neighborhoods like Brush Park and Midtown," said Mayor Mike Duggan. "Van Fox and MHT Housing have played a huge role in the $1 billion of affordable housing we have built over the past five years and they're not slowing down. I am deeply appreciative of their continued investment in affordable housing in Detroit."

MHT is one of the largest builders and owners of affordable housing in metro Detroit, with more than 30 years of development experience. MHT, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, also serves as the general partner or managing member of nearly 6,500 elderly and family units, a substantial portion of which are in the city of Detroit.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of both Brush Park Apartments and the MLK on 2nd development which will provide quality affordable housing for the residents of Detroit with great locations and great amenities,” said Van Fox, President of MHT Housing. “We are thankful for the numerous partners who all helped come together to make these developments a reality!”

Brush Park Apartments

Located at 269 Winder St., Brush Park Apartments brings affordability and further density to this neighborhood just north of downtown and in the heart of the city’s entertainment and sports district.

The project includes three studios and 50 one-bedroom units, with 30 of those units being set aside as deeply affordable at 40 percent AMI and below. The development offers 10 units at 30 percent AMI, 20 at 40 percent AMI, and 23 at or below 80 percent AMI, which equates to an AMI average of 55 percent for the overall development. Of the 10 units for those earning up to 30 percent AMI, eight will have Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs) through the Detroit Housing Commission, ensuring that those residents won’t pay more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities.

The project received a 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocation from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority in the February 2021 funding round. The development also was made possible through financing from Bedrock, a construction loan from Fifth Third Bank and tax credit equity from CVS Health and CREA. In addition, the development received an Affordable Housing Grant award from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis through the support of Independent Bank.

“The grand openings of Brush Park Apartments and MLK on 2nd mark major progress in our ongoing efforts to expand access to quality, affordable housing in Detroit,” said Chad Benson, MSHDA Director of Development. “These new apartment homes showcase the power of collaboration and strategic investment in strengthening neighborhoods. MSHDA is proud to support these and other projects that provide safe, affordable housing for residents while contributing to the city’s continued growth and revitalization.”

“Fifth Third Bank is deeply committed to transforming Detroit's affordable housing landscape through our strategic funding of both the Brush Park Apartments and MLK on 2nd. By providing a dynamic mix of debt and equity financing, we are not just funding a development, but investing in the future of Detroit's communities,” said David Girodat, Regional President, Fifth Third, Eastern Michigan. “Our robust partnership with MHT Housing, a trailblazer in affordable housing, ensures that we deliver high-quality, affordable homes that Detroiters deserve. With over 20% of Detroit residents spending more than half of their income on housing, our efforts are pivotal in addressing this critical need and fostering vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods."

As the sole equity investor, CVS Health’s $11 million investment in Brush Park is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to address housing insecurities and the disparities that may be holding people back from achieving their best health, particularly among those in historically marginalized and underserved communities. Along with housing, CVS Health is committed to investing in educational and other professional programs. In June of 2023, CVS opened a Workforce Innovation and Talent Center (WITC) within the headquarters of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit at 311 Grand River Road. The innovation hub, which features a mock retail store, pharmacy, and other professional education programs, is designed to provide Detroiters access to opportunity and inclusive pathways to meaningful careers, including comprehensive skills training, job placement and community health services. The WITC is located a half mile from Brush Park and is open to all

“When we make investments in local communities, we’re able to create a meaningful impact and help provide equal opportunity for people to improve their wellbeing and reach their fullest potential,” said Teressa Smith, CEO, Aetna Better Health of Michigan, a CVS Health company. “By providing not only affordable housing, but also access to supportive services and health care, we’re ensuring residents of Brush Park have the tools they need to lead healthier, more secure lives. We look forward to continuing to identify future opportunities that will help to support and uplift Detroit residents.”

MLK on 2nd

MHT Housing is also behind MLK on 2nd, built in partnership with Nassar Companies LLC. The four-story, mixed-use, affordable apartment building located at 3515 Second Ave. features 33 affordable, one-bedroom units, as well as about 1,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space facing Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

All units at MLK on 2nd are restricted to those earning 60 percent area median income (AMI) or less, with 12 apartments restricted to 40 percent AMI. Five more apartments will receive Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs) through the Detroit Housing Commission, with those residents paying no more than 30 percent of their income. MHT also will cover the utilities for the residents in the 17 deeply affordable apartments (12 at 40 percent AMI and five PBVs).

The Detroit Housing & Revitalization Department (HRD) has invested $1.27 million in federal HOME dollars into the project, and the development also received a 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocation from the February 2021 funding round through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The development also received a construction loan from Fifth Third Bank and tax credit equity from CREA.

“By ensuring that affordable housing remains accessible in some of Detroit’s most dynamic neighborhoods, we're not just providing homes, we're reinforcing the fabric of our community,” said Julie Schneider, Director of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department. “This is a critical step in our ongoing efforts to empower Detroiters, support families, and create a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."

About CVS Health

CVS Health® is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health – whether that’s managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system – and their personal health care – by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day.