• Four new affordable residential buildings to rise next to history Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center
• MHT Housing and Bishop Charles Ellis partner for transformational development
• One building, “The Sanctuary,” will provide 52 units of permanent supportive housing to serve Detroiters facing chronic homelessness
• Kirstin’s Touch, Inc., Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan, and Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network will lead on site services supporting households exiting homelessness
   

The City of Detroit today joined development partners MHT Housing, Inc. and Kirsten’s Touch, Inc. lead by Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, to break ground four new buildings that will bring 211 units of new affordable and permanent supportive housing to long-vacant land next to the historic Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center.

All 211 units will have rents based on household incomes ranging from 30%-80% of the area median income. Brewster I, II and II each will include 53 units for a total of 159 units. Each received its own award of 9% low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). Each building will be 100% affordable with a mix of 1BR and 2BR units using income averaging, with rents for 1-bedroom units starting at $368 and $438 For two-bedroom.

The Sanctuary at Brewster, a 52-unit permanent supportive housing (PSH) community, represents the first major phase in the $80 million multi-block redevelopment.  The Sanctuary will provide 52 deeply affordable one-bedroom units, each supported with project-based vouchers that ensure residents pay no more than 30% of their income toward rent.

All 52 units are part of the City’s targeted efforts to bring deeply affordable supportive housing online to meet the needs of residents experiencing homelessness, with on-site wraparound services to support long-term housing stability. Providing this level of support has been shown to reduce recidivism back into homelessness.

Completion of the Sanctuary, as well as Brewster I, II and II, is scheduled for 2027.

“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.”

“As we continue to build a more equitable Detroit, developments like The Sanctuary at Brewster remind us of our responsibility to uplift every member of our community,” said Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield. “By providing stable, supportive housing for young people transitioning out of foster care, we are investing in human potential and showing what compassionate leadership can achieve. This is the kind of progress that honors Detroit’s legacy and secures its future.”

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is the combination of deeply affordable housing and supportive services that help people who face the most complex challenges to live with stability, autonomy, and dignity. At its core, PSH focuses on improving the lives of tenants.

“We are busting with excitement in humility at the opportunity to provide affordable housing, services, and resources to those who have been marginalized with the maximum hope that they will take advantage of these beneficial programs to advance themselves not just for a day; but for a Life-Time” said Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, President, Kirsten’s Touch, Inc.

All referrals to The Sanctuary will come from Detroit’s Continuum of Care (CoC) Coordinated Assessment Model (CAM) and will prioritize households who have experienced long term homelessness and have a disability.

The service provision teams, Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan and Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, in partnership with Kirsten’s Touch, will provide over 60 hours of weekly on site, low-barrier service provision. This includes case management and peer support specialists. The model of support will focus on five key pillars: Education, Physical and Mental Health, Workforce Development, Life Skills, and Legal Assistance. These services are offered at no cost to residents and are optional for residents to participate in.

Bishop Ellis/Kirsten’s Touch will help through ongoing relationships with the various organizations that will be providing support services and will be active in that role on a day-to-day basis. Bishop Ellis/Kirsten’s Touch has also secured support from many other organizations to provide in-kind and one-on-one services for the more untraditional needs that might pop up.

MHT Housing leading transformational redevelopment

MHT Housing is the largest developer of affordable housing in Michigan.  In Detroit, they have developed several key projects in recent years, including the Rev. Jim Holley Residences, Cathedral Arts, the Brush Park apartments, the Preserve on Ash and many others.  The Brewster development is MHT’s largest project to date in Detroit.

“The development team is extremely proud to be able to complete the redevelopment of the Brewster Wheeler site, through the combination of a substantial amount of new affordable and workforce housing, along with the reactivation of the iconic Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center. An undertaking of this magnitude is a rare opportunity and a true testament to the collaboration and dedication of our partners and their unwavering commitment to develop high-quality, impactful affordable housing in Detroit” said Van Fox, President of MHT Housing, Inc.

“Detroit’s affordable housing strategy is rooted in ensuring that everyone — especially our neighbors experiencing homelessness — has a safe place to call home,” said Julie Schneider, Director of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department. “The Sanctuary at Brewster and the redevelopment of the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center honor the history of this neighborhood while building a more inclusive future.”

The multi-building development also includes project-based vouchers from the Detroit Housing Commission to ensure long-term stability.

Development Partners & Financing

The Sanctuary at Brewster is co-developed by MHT Housing, Inc. and Kirsten’s Touch, Inc., with financing supported through:

• City of Detroit HOME funding
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity
• MSHDA HOME-ARP and permanent lending
• And program-based housing vouchers ensuring long-term affordability

“The Sanctuary at Brewster represents exactly what we mean when we talk about housing as a foundation for opportunity,” said Amy Hovey, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). “This development is the result of deep collaboration between the City, faith-based leaders, and housing partners who share a commitment to ensuring every Detroiter has a safe, stable, and supportive place to call home. MSHDA is proud to help make this vision possible through an award of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME-ARP funding and permanent financing.”

“Fifth Third Bank is proud to play a key role in reshaping Detroit’s affordable housing landscape through our strategic investment in the Brewster Wheeler redevelopment in Brush Park. By leveraging a balanced mix of debt and equity financing, we’re doing more than supporting a project—we’re investing in the long-term vitality of Detroit’s neighborhoods,” said David Girodat, Regional President, Fifth Third Bank, Michigan. “Our strong collaboration with MHT Housing, a leader in affordable housing, ensures that Detroiters gain access to high-quality, attainable homes. With more than 20% of residents spending over half their income on housing, these efforts are critical to addressing this challenge and building vibrant, sustainable communities.”

Restoring a Historic Detroit Landmark

The larger redevelopment also is restoring the historic Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center, where Joe Louis used to train and Diana Ross played as a child. Final uses are still being determined as the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center targets completion in 2026, but some anticipated uses for the space When complete in early 2026, the revitalized Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center will include:

• Community recreation and wellness spaces
• Outdoor athletic fields and youth sports areas
• Community meeting and programming rooms
• Nonprofit, workforce training, and support service space
• Cultural and event spaces designed for neighborhood use

As part of the restoration, KRONK Gym will return to the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center and will soon open. An event celebrating the reopening of the recreation center, and Kronk Gym will happen in the near future.