CONGRESSMAN KILDEE ANNOUNCES OVER $2.2 MILLION TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN MID-MICHIGAN

Press Release

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today announced new federal funding to develop 153 new or improved low-income housing units in Flint through Communities First, Inc., Presbyterian Villages of Michigan and McFarlan Charitable Corporation.

The $2,279,625 award was made through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. State and local housing agencies--including the Michigan State Housing Development Authority--use the tax credits to support the expansion and improvement of affordable rental housing, spurring investment in communities, job creation and lowering costs for families.

"These federal resources will create hundreds of jobs building new, affordable housing in Flint, helping to make our neighborhoods safer and stronger," Congressman Kildee said. "I am proud to announce these federal funds to support the important work that Communities First, Inc., Presbyterian Villages of Michigan and McFarlan Charitable Corporation are doing in our community. In Congress, I will continue to work to bring federal resources to mid-Michigan."

Housing projects supported by these awards include:

Orchard Manor Apartments (2765 Flushing Rd, Flint): Orchard Manor is a permanent supportive housing project sponsored by Communities First, Inc. and RAD Conversion Specialists, LLC. This project has 17 units set-aside for permanent supportive housing. The funding will help create 21 one-bedroom units and 13 two-bedroom units targeted to households earning between 30% to 80% of area median income. This project will also include seven project-based vouchers from MSHDA and 10 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers. This project will create three permanent jobs and 100 temporary jobs.
700 E. Court Street Village (Flint): 700 E. Court Street Village is a preservation project sponsored by Presbyterian Villages of Michigan and McFarlan Charitable Corporation. This development is a mixed-income elderly housing project with 107 affordable units and 12 market rate units. It has 24 studio bedroom units, 73 one-bedroom units and 22 two-bedroom units targeted to households at 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% of area median income, as well as market rate rental units. This will include 36 units with Section 8 rental assistance from the Flint Housing Commission. This project will create three permanent jobs and 148 temporary jobs.
"Investments in housing help us put Michiganders first and are critical to furthering our economic momentum," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "When families have a place to call home, it leads to upward mobility, a higher quality of life, and thriving communities. This program helps us lower costs for working families by providing housing stability and opportunity. These awards will help us get a jump on my ambitious MI New Economy plan goal of creating 75,000 new or rehabilitated housing units within the next five years."

"We thank Congressman Kildee for his assistance in bringing these important federal resources back to our community. Communities throughout the state of Michigan are seeing a rise in homelessness and the need for quality affordable housing for everyone in our state, from seniors to veterans to working parents. We are pleased that Communities First, Inc. was able to submit a competitive application which has been funded by MSHDA. This work is incredibly challenging but worth it to positively impact the lives of others. Most agree that everyone, regardless of their income, deserves to have a safe place to call home. It is exciting to address the needs of homeless veterans and families at Orchard Manor through housing and our various wrap around services," said Glenn Wilson, President and CEO of Communities First, Inc.

"McFarlan Charitable Corporation and Presbyterian Villages of Michigan greatly appreciates Congressman Kildee, along with the Michigan State Housing Development Agency, to work to bring this award of low-income housing tax credits to Flint. We look forward to leveraging these important tax credits with multiple other funding sources to complete the remaining funding necessary to commence the renovations and creation of a new affordable assisted living program to serve frail seniors. This is another major successful step in the overall redevelopment and expansion initiatives of the two Court Street senior buildings that have been in planning for the past two years. It is a terrific example of federal, state and local investments, as well as philanthropic, private and non-profit collaboration," said Roger L. Myers, President and CEO of Presbyterian Villages of Michigan.

Congressman Kildee has worked to strengthen neighborhoods in communities across Michigan's Fifth Congressional District and expand tax credits for affordable housing. Last month, Congressman Kildee voted to pass the Build Back Better Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, which included almost $12 billion for LIHTC. According to estimates, these provisions could help create 17,900 rental units and 26,900 jobs in Michigan. Recently, Kildee announced over $8 million in federal funding for affordable senior housing in Genesee County. In July 2021, Kildee advanced $8.8 million in funding for local projects, as part of Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills, which included funding to provide affordable housing for low-income families and veterans.

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