The City of Detroit established the Detroit Housing Commission (“DHC”) in 1933 under the Michigan Housing Facilities Act. Throughout DHC’s more than 90-year history, our mission has been to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for the low- and moderate-income individuals and families we serve. DHC is one of the largest providers of rental housing in the City of Detroit (“City”) and is currently advancing an ambitious plan to upgrade existing units, expand housing and economic opportunities, and improve the overall residential experience for the communities it serves.

In the 1930s, DHC began construction of its first low-income public housing developments, and construction continued through 1982 with the completion of Sheridan Place. In the early 1990s, DHC was awarded HOPE VI grants to revitalize three of its most severely distressed public housing developments: Parkside Homes (Villages at Parkside II and IV), Jeffries Homes (Woodbridge Estates), and Herman Gardens (Gardenview Estates).

The properties developed with HOPE VI funding reflect the evolving vision of DHC and public housing. These mixed-finance, mixed-income developments were made possible through partnerships between DHC and private developers, and serve both DHC-assisted and market-rate residents without distinction based on income. DHC plans to create 2,663 additional affordable housing units over the next five years using this financing approach.

In addition to operating a low-income public housing program, DHC also administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program (“Section 8”) through its Assisted Housing Department. Currently, DHC administers approximately 5,000 vouchers under the Section 8 Program.

DHC’s annual operating budget is more than $80 million. Its funding is derived from several primary sources, including HUD’s annual operating subsidy, HUD’s Capital Fund, Section 8 administrative fees, rental income from public housing residents, and other program and capital grants. DHC continues to explore alternative funding sources and has built numerous key partnerships with city and state agencies, nonprofit foundations, community-based organizations, and private developers.

DHC serves its residents and participants without regard to familial status, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical handicap, disability, or any other protected status.