A new apartment complex along Vernor Highway near Clark Park has officially opened in Southwest Detroit. Officials gathered this week to cut the ribbon at La Joya Gardens, which brings 53 new apartments, plus community and retail space to the busy neighborhood.
11 of these apartments are market-rate while 42 are designated as affordable, for those earning 30% to 80% of the area median income. According to a press release from the city, a one-bedroom affordable apartment can start at $540 per month.
La Joya Gardens has 47 one-bedroom and 6 two-bedroom apartments, a 1,500-square-foot flexible community space, and a landscaped plaza. The development has four retail spaces facing the street, and Cafe Clark, which is run by Southwest residents Meli and Eduardo Salas.
The $25 million development was led by the Southwest Detroit Business Association (SBDA) and Cinnaire Solutions.
“The opening of La Joya Gardens is a milestone for Southwest Detroit, showcasing the power of collaboration and the resilience of our community,” said Laura Chavez-Wazeerud-Din, president & CEO, SDBA. “This development goes beyond providing affordable housing and retail spaces. It creates opportunities for connection and growth that reflect the spirit of Southwest Detroit. We’re proud to see this once-vacant block transformed into a vibrant hub of activity and opportunity, and we’re excited for the lasting impact it will have on our residents, entrepreneurs, and local businesses.”
La Joya Gardens is part of the Strategic Neighborhood Fund, a program that works to revitalize neighborhoods around the city. Funding came from a variety of sources, including $12.4 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit investments from Cinnaire, $3.8 million from MSHDA, $2.5 million from the City of Detroit, $1.6 million from Invest Detroit, a $500,000 Affordable Housing Program Award from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, a $500,000 Urban Development Action Grant from the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, and 15 Project Based Vouchers from the Detroit Housing Commission.
