City of Detroit announces Detroit Duplex Repair Program to support duplex and small-scale rental innovations

2023
  • Funding of up to $15,000 per unit available to eligible Detroit-based landlords 
  • Program expected to preserve affordable rents for nearly 150 units for five years  
  • Landlords can apply through program administrator, CHN Housing at CHNHousingPartners.org/Detroit/duplexrepair 

Today, the City of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department and CHN Housing Partners (CHN) announced the Detroit Duplex Repair Program, which will provide financial resources for Detroit-based landlords to create safe, healthy and high-quality rental housing for Detroiters.  

Through the $2.3 million Detroit Duplex Repair Program, Detroit-based landlords of duplexes, triplexes and other rental properties will be able to receive grant funding for obtaining a Certificate of Compliance from the City’s Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department.  

"We are working hard to ensure all Detroiters have access to high-quality affordable housing,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “It’s crucial we understand and support our small-scale landlords here in the city as they work to maintain affordability in their rental units.” 

Detroit-based landlords can participate in the Detroit Duplex Repair Program in two ways: 

Rental Repair 

Property owners of duplexes, two-floor flats, or triplexes will be able to receive up to $15,000 per unit - or $45,000 per structure - to make renovations and ultimately, obtain Certificates of Compliance for these units. Owners must be Detroit residents and own no more than two properties in their portfolio. Completed units must be affordable to households with incomes up to 60% of the area median income for a five-year period. The program is targeting to assist nearly 150 rental units with these grants. 

Landlord Rebate  

Property owners of any Detroit rental property who obtain a Certificate of Compliance for their property on or after November 1, 2023 are eligible for a $750 compliance rebate. Owners can receive rebates for up to 10 units ($7,500 maximum rebate).  

To get started, landlords can visit CHNHousingPartners.org/Detroit/duplexrepair to review a complete list of eligibility requirements and complete an eligibility form for the Rental Repair or Landlord Rebate aspects of the Detroit Duplex Repair Program. 

“We want Detroiters to have access to safe, quality, affordable housing,” said Julie Schneider, director of the City of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department. “This program aims to support the Detroiters who own rental homes and are looking to do the right thing by ensuring their properties offer the best housing options possible for residents.”  

If CHN determines a landlord is eligible for the program, they will be emailed an invitation to complete a program application. Grants are expected to go quickly. Landlords should submit their eligibility form as soon as possible to take advantage of this program. 

“The Detroit Duplex Repair Program is a truly innovative program that allows us to approach a number of housing challenges that Detroit faces at one time," said Kevin Nowak, president and CEO of CHN Housing Partners. "By repairing and encouraging the registration of Detroit's affordable rental units, we are supporting landlords, creating safe and healthy homes in the short term, and ensuring access to affordable homes in the years to come.” 

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About CHN Housing Partners: 

CHN Housing Partners was founded in 1981 and began working in Detroit in 2018. It is a large-scale affordable housing developer, residential lender and housing service provider that works with its partners to solve major housing challenges for low-income people and underserved communities. CHN also partners with people—low-income individuals, families, seniors, the disabled and those experiencing homelessness — to improve their housing stability and economic mobility. CHN’s impact in Cleveland includes 3,200 new homeowners, the housing stability services it provides annually to 60,000 individuals, and the development of more than 7,000 new homes. In Michigan, CHN continues to focus on the power of a permanent address by working with public and private partners to increase Detroit’s stock of affordable housing through development, preservation and property management. CHN also leverages its expertise in nonprofit coalition building by acting as the Network Manager for the Detroit Housing Network – an alliance of housing nonprofits that have come together to provide clear and equitable access to housing services in Detroit. Learn more at chnhousingpartners.org