Macomb County, MI
07/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/10/2025 14:25
Demand high for newly completed affordable housing constructed in Eastpointe through Macomb County, Community Housing Network partnership
Local officials today showcased the newly constructed Kelly Court Apartments in the City of Eastpointe, an affordable housing initiative that saw Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) partner with Community Housing Network. County Executive Mark Hackel kicked off the ribbon cutting ceremony for the $1.8 million project, citing high demand for these types of efforts across the region.
"We understand housing affordability and attainability are challenges facing many of our communities," Hackel said. "That's why we work closely with partner organizations and agencies to address the gaps that currently exist. There's more to be done, but I'm proud of this project in Eastpointe and thrilled that it will soon help people make Macomb their home."
Kelly Court Apartments feature eight modular homes, located on the northeast corner of Kelly Road and Toepfer Drive. They include:
"We understand housing affordability and attainability are challenges facing many of our communities," Hackel said. "That's why we work closely with partner organizations and agencies to address the gaps that currently exist. There's more to be done, but I'm proud of this project in Eastpointe and thrilled that it will soon help people make Macomb their home."
Kelly Court Apartments feature eight modular homes, located on the northeast corner of Kelly Road and Toepfer Drive. They include:
- 4, one-bedroom units at 698-square-feet
- 3, two-bedroom units at 889-square-feet
- 1, one-bedroom ADA unit at 889-square-feet
The designer and contractor for the project was InnovaLab Development Group and the modular builder was Champion Homes. Monthly rents will range from $946 and $1,378. Two units will be occupied by families with incomes that do not exceed 50 percent of HUD-Adjusted Area Median Income (AMI). The remaining six units will be occupied by families with incomes that do not exceed 60 percent of AMI.
"Modular developments such as Kelly Court offer an innovative solution to the affordable housing crisis we face as a nation," said Kirsten Elliot, president and CEO of Community Housing Network. "We have created a model for workforce housing that can be built on smaller tracts of land so more people can live in the communities where they work. This wouldn't be possible without the support of Macomb County and the City of Eastpointe, who recognize the needs of their residents. Community Housing Network is excited for future opportunities to build on the success of this project by replicating this model at other sites throughout the region."
Vicky Rowinski, director, MCPED added: "This project has been incredible to watch come together. The ribbon cutting is the first of many celebrations we will have as we continue to address housing availability and affordability. Our department and Community Housing Network are continuously working together to get communities the resources they need."
Construction on Kelly Court began this spring, and residents will be able to move in this August. Currently, Community Housing Network has seen a large response, with over 300 applications submitted by interested parties. Housing trends contribute to that number. According to the U.S. Department of Treasury: "For the past two decades, rents and house prices have been rising faster than incomes across most regions of the United States. For some households, increased housing costs means there is less to spend on everything else, including food, health care, clothing, education, and retirement savings. For others, particularly younger Americans, high costs may be preventing them from living on their own or starting families."
Additionally, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), an average minimum wage worker would need to work 2.4 full-time jobs to afford a one-bedroom rental at a fair market rate. Other recent studies by the NAEH estimates there is a nationwide shortfall of 3.8 million affordable homes. Here in Michigan, the shortfall is estimated to be 185,354 affordable homes - and just over half of the need is right here in Metro Detroit.
For these reasons, Community Housing Network has partnered with Macomb County for several years to create homeownership opportunities through acquisition/rehab/resale and rental property development. In this instance, the Kelly Court Apartments were funded by Macomb County's HOME program, a federal block grant which is distributed through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The County contributed more than $1.1 million from its grant. Additional funding includes $229,513 of program income from a 2019/2020 HOME-funded acquisition/rehab/resale project and a $450,000 permanent loan obtained by Community Housing Network through Springhill Housing Corporation.
"We are taking the feedback from our communities and working to get more affordable housing, like this project" said Stephanie Burgess, project manager, MCPED. "Our partnership with Community Housing Network has made the Kelly Court Apartments possible."
To help guide Macomb County and partners on future projects, residents are encouraged to take the Community and Housing Needs Assessment Survey. Responses will determine needs and facilitate the development of solutions. Additionally, in-person community engagement sessions are being held throughout July. Click here to find dates and locations.
About MCPED: The mission of the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development is to retain, grow and attract economic investment while improving the overall quality of life for residents and businesses in Macomb County. The department accomplishes this through five distinct program areas: Economic development, parks and natural resources, community planning, mapping and data services, and marketing and communications.
About Community Housing Network: Community Housing Network's mission is to empower people to live in affordable homes to help build thriving communities. Last year it helped more than 17,000 people, investing $12.5 million into local communities so children, families, people with disabilities and other vulnerable Metro Detroiters can live in affordable, stable homes. In addition to Eastpointe, Community Housing Network is developing workforce housing in communities such as Port Huron and Sault Ste Marie, as the increasing cost of living is pricing more working families and individuals out of the housing market. It also has services ranging from street outreach to homebuyer education, and we are the largest permanent supportive housing provider in both Macomb and Oakland County.
"Modular developments such as Kelly Court offer an innovative solution to the affordable housing crisis we face as a nation," said Kirsten Elliot, president and CEO of Community Housing Network. "We have created a model for workforce housing that can be built on smaller tracts of land so more people can live in the communities where they work. This wouldn't be possible without the support of Macomb County and the City of Eastpointe, who recognize the needs of their residents. Community Housing Network is excited for future opportunities to build on the success of this project by replicating this model at other sites throughout the region."
Vicky Rowinski, director, MCPED added: "This project has been incredible to watch come together. The ribbon cutting is the first of many celebrations we will have as we continue to address housing availability and affordability. Our department and Community Housing Network are continuously working together to get communities the resources they need."
Construction on Kelly Court began this spring, and residents will be able to move in this August. Currently, Community Housing Network has seen a large response, with over 300 applications submitted by interested parties. Housing trends contribute to that number. According to the U.S. Department of Treasury: "For the past two decades, rents and house prices have been rising faster than incomes across most regions of the United States. For some households, increased housing costs means there is less to spend on everything else, including food, health care, clothing, education, and retirement savings. For others, particularly younger Americans, high costs may be preventing them from living on their own or starting families."
Additionally, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), an average minimum wage worker would need to work 2.4 full-time jobs to afford a one-bedroom rental at a fair market rate. Other recent studies by the NAEH estimates there is a nationwide shortfall of 3.8 million affordable homes. Here in Michigan, the shortfall is estimated to be 185,354 affordable homes - and just over half of the need is right here in Metro Detroit.
For these reasons, Community Housing Network has partnered with Macomb County for several years to create homeownership opportunities through acquisition/rehab/resale and rental property development. In this instance, the Kelly Court Apartments were funded by Macomb County's HOME program, a federal block grant which is distributed through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The County contributed more than $1.1 million from its grant. Additional funding includes $229,513 of program income from a 2019/2020 HOME-funded acquisition/rehab/resale project and a $450,000 permanent loan obtained by Community Housing Network through Springhill Housing Corporation.
"We are taking the feedback from our communities and working to get more affordable housing, like this project" said Stephanie Burgess, project manager, MCPED. "Our partnership with Community Housing Network has made the Kelly Court Apartments possible."
To help guide Macomb County and partners on future projects, residents are encouraged to take the Community and Housing Needs Assessment Survey. Responses will determine needs and facilitate the development of solutions. Additionally, in-person community engagement sessions are being held throughout July. Click here to find dates and locations.
About MCPED: The mission of the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development is to retain, grow and attract economic investment while improving the overall quality of life for residents and businesses in Macomb County. The department accomplishes this through five distinct program areas: Economic development, parks and natural resources, community planning, mapping and data services, and marketing and communications.
About Community Housing Network: Community Housing Network's mission is to empower people to live in affordable homes to help build thriving communities. Last year it helped more than 17,000 people, investing $12.5 million into local communities so children, families, people with disabilities and other vulnerable Metro Detroiters can live in affordable, stable homes. In addition to Eastpointe, Community Housing Network is developing workforce housing in communities such as Port Huron and Sault Ste Marie, as the increasing cost of living is pricing more working families and individuals out of the housing market. It also has services ranging from street outreach to homebuyer education, and we are the largest permanent supportive housing provider in both Macomb and Oakland County.
Stephanie Burgess586-466-6256 stephanie.burgess@macombgov.org
Department:Planning and Economic Development
Type:
Press Release
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