Rockford has been serving the Greater Detroit Area for more than 35 years and has been proud to be a neighbor in Detroit’s Central Business District since 2017. In that time, we have been fortunate to create spaces that have had an impact on the community – from preserving the history of the iconic Hotel Saint Regis to helping to bring affordable and accessible groceries to the East Jefferson Corridor at Rivertown Market. As we explore other projects that benefit the community, we are currently working at 10 different jobsites in the Greater Detroit Area, totaling over $230 million, continuing our investment in the revitalization of the Motor City.
Two of those projects include Osi Art Apartments in the Woodbridge neighborhood and Sawyer Art Apartments in the Live6 community. Each apartment building will house a mix of ground floor commercial and several affordable housing units. Designed with how art impacts a community at large, each of these facilities will feature murals from local artists. This combination of art, local business support and affordable housing helps create vibrant, livable neighborhoods that offer a mix of both residences and commerce.
Rent across the country has continued to rise and has outpaced incomes over the last two decades. In the City of Detroit, it was found that there is insufficient housing to meet the needs of low-income residents. An estimated 9% of all households in Detroit are left with no other options than to live with other families, live in blighted conditions or leave the city altogether.
While rising rent and home costs have an impact across several socioeconomic backgrounds, those at the lowest income, or cost burdened, are the most vulnerable. A lack of affordable housing limits access to education, harms mental and physical well-being and restricts access to better jobs and economic opportunity, according to research by Housing Matters. Furthermore, cost burdened households are more likely than others to forgo spending on necessities like healthy food or healthcare in order to afford rent, spending more than half of their income on housing. Creating more housing opportunities not only benefits those who are cost burdened but has a greater impact on the economy itself.
There are misconceptions surrounding affordable housing that are based in fear and negative stereotypes. However, according to CommonBond Communities, providing affordable housing results in more money in the local community, fewer evictions, a healthier population and economy, creates more job opportunities, improves government infrastructure and generates a better future overall.
As the revitalization of Detroit continues, several neighborhoods and organizations are embracing affordable housing, incentivized by different financial tools such as the Affordable Housing Leverage Fund (AHLF), the Strategic Neighborhood Fund and the Detroit Housing for the Future Fund (DHFF). The Live6 Alliance was founded in pursuit of “increasing opportunity and enhancing the quality of life” for residents, facilitating coordination between the community, institutions and key stakeholders. It is this unified front that will bring Sawyer Art Apartments to the Live6 Community, increasing affordable housing by 38 units. Over in the West End Gallery District, Osi Art Apartments will reserve half of the 30 units as affordable housing for those at 80% of the area median income. The City of Detroit is reinvesting in the vitality of their residents with each new affordable housing facility constructed.
“In a city with a shortage of affordable housing, the Rockford team has had boots on the ground working with our local partners to construct two new projects in the City of Detroit. These multi-family residences will provide two different neighborhoods with new options for Detroit residents to call home,” said Adam Al-Ansari, senior project manager at Rockford Construction. “We are proud to build these beautiful projects that reflect the artistry of the Detroit urban landscape while providing top-quality design and finishes to these amazing neighborhoods and the city as a whole. We are proud to rep the 313, today and every day!”
In addition to multi-unit and commercial projects, Rockford regularly builds and supports a wide variety of projects in Detroit, including education, industrial, municipal and more. We are proud to walk alongside the Detroit community as we build on the already profound legacy of the city.
Happy 313 Day!
