City of Detroit, Archdiocese of Detroit, MHT Housing, and Citizens celebrate grand opening of Cathedral Arts Apartments and new Workforce Training Center

City of Detroit leaders joined the Archdiocese of Detroit, MHT Housing, Inc., and Citizens to celebrate the grand opening of the Cathedral Arts Apartments, a transformative new development that brings 53 deeply affordable housing units to the Gateway Community, just north of Boston-Edison.

The $19.7 million development, located on the west side of Woodward Avenue across from the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, is a joint venture between the Cathedral and MHT Housing. Beyond housing, Cathedral Arts provides 6,000 square feet of commercial and community space, including a key feature: the M Training Center, a workforce development hub operated by MHT that will connect Detroit residents to paid training, internships, and full-time employment in the property maintenance and multifamily housing industry.

"This is the city we are creating, where people of all incomes can live in a beautiful new building on Woodward Avenue with an onsite training center to help connect them to paid internships and employment opportunities,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “We are able to do this because of great partners like the Archdiocese of Detroit, MHT Housing, MSHDA, Citizens and the City all working together to make it possible."  

"This project is a shining example of what happens when community, faith, and government come together with a shared purpose—to uplift people,” said City Council President Mary Sheffield. “The Cathedral Arts Apartments and M Training Center not only provide desperately needed affordable housing but also empower Detroiters with the tools to build lasting careers. This development reflects our commitment to inclusive growth and ensures that longtime residents can thrive in the neighborhoods they call home. I'm proud to stand with our partners in bringing this vision to life."

In just six years, the city of Detroit has invested nearly $1.5 billion in new affordable housing. The city’s Housing and Revitalization Department is working to develop another 3,000 units of affordable housing – and preserve the affordability of at least 10,000 units – by 2030.

Supporting residents beyond housing

With $500,000 in capital from Citizens, MHT Housing built out the commercial space on the first floor of the Cathedral Arts Apartments for The M Training Center - a key community asset offering hands-on training, career pathway programming, and job placement for residents across the city.  The center consists of mobile training stations that include kitchens, bathrooms and apartment areas. Students will be trained in the areas of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, painting, appliance repair and janitorial services. At the end of the 4-week program, students will earn a stipend – and receive interview training and support in creating a resume.

At Citizens, we believe that affordable housing and economic mobility go hand in hand,” said Yasmeen Jasey, Citizens Michigan President. “Our support of the Cathedral Arts Apartments and M Training Center—an innovative model that delivers not only deeply affordable homes, but real career pathways for Detroit residents – reflects our commitment to investing in communities in a way that is inclusive, sustainable, and rooted in long-term impact.”

The M Training Center exemplifies MHT’s commitment to building not just homes, but futures. This will be MHT’s second workforce training site in Detroit.

“MHT is proud to celebrate the Grand Opening of Cathedral Arts Apartments alongside our partner, the Archdiocese of Detroit,” said MHT President Van Fox. “This development, together with the launch of the M Training Center, marks an exciting step forward for Detroit’s North End by bringing new housing, opportunities, and momentum to the community.”

There are currently 22 students enrolled at the M Training Center. Those interested in the program can learn more here.

A Place for Everyone

The property offers 53 affordable two-bedroom units, with rent rates as low as $578 per month. Sixteen units are supported by Project-Based Vouchers from the Detroit Housing Commission, ensuring residents pay no more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities. The building is currently fully leased, more information for potential renters can be found here.

Cathedral Arts Apartments is owned by a joint venture entity established between MHT Housing Inc. and the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. It will be managed by MHT Management, one of the largest individual landlords in Detroit housing 30,000 residents across Michigan.  

“On behalf of the Archdiocese of Detroit, I offer my deep gratitude to the City of Detroit, MHT Housing, and the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament for their extraordinary partnership in bringing the Cathedral Arts Apartments to life,” said Archbishop of Detroit Edward J. Weisenburger. “This project is a powerful sign of what God can accomplish through faithful collaboration—when public leadership, community expertise, and the Church come together in service to our neighbors in need, our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.”

Funding for the project was made possible through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and Citizens, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Housing Trust Funds, as well as contributions from the Archdiocese, MHT, and DHC.

"MSHDA is proud to invest in a development that brings 53 deeply affordable homes to life in a community rich with history and promise," said Chad Benson, the agency's Director of Development. "Cathedral Arts is more than just housing; it’s an investment in people, in opportunity, and in the future of Detroit."

The Cathedral's involvement in planning and implementation of the Cathedral Arts Apartments is one of the earliest fruits of Art for God's Sake, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to raising the funds to realize the Cathedral’s vision of becoming an Apostolic Center of Arts and Culture without infringing on limited parish resources. Thus far, the initiative has also generated the “Journey with the Saints” pilgrimage featuring relics of the Twelve Apostles, the Holy Paws Dog Park, and a burgeoning pollinator habitat. Development proceeds and cash flow from Cathedral Arts Apartments will feed back into Art for God's Sake and the parish itself.

“This effort reflects what it means to build not just housing, but community rooted in faith and compassion. This is the heart of the vision behind Art for God’s Sake,” said Father JJ Mech, rector of the Cathedral. “With the Cathedral offering spiritual care just across the street, Catholic Charities providing essential wraparound services next door, the M1 Center onsite to equip residents with job skills, and local businesses moving in soon, this space embodies the Church’s commitment to living God’s love through service to his people.”

About HRD

The mission of the Housing and Revitalization Department (HRD) is to finance, underwrite, and administer housing and community investments that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Detroit. Through HRD and the City’s partners in housing, including the Detroit Housing Commission, the City of Detroit is committed to ensuring that every Detroiter has access to safe, decent, and affordable housing. HRD directs the strategy, deployment, and management of the City’s housing policy and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development entitlement funding. HRD makes strategic investments in the City’s existing housing stock and new development to ensure long-term population and physical growth of Detroit. Residents looking for affordable housing can visit homeconnect.detroitmi.gov.

About Art for God's Sake

Art for God’s Sake is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) established in 2019 to support the Cathedral’s growth as an Apostolic Center of Arts and Culture — connecting faith with the beauty of architecture, art, creativity, and service in order to bring healing, grace, hope, and joy to all of God’s people. AFGS seeks to turn the Cathedral campus into a neighborhood hub and a top destination. Anyone wishing to know more, donate, or get involved, please visit cathedral.aod.org/master-plan/art-for-gods-sake.