In Jefferson-Chalmers, a Resident Is Building 52 Affordable Homes in His Own Neighborhood

Jefferson-Chalmers is getting 52 new affordable homes, and the developer behind them does not have to commute to the groundbreaking. Brandon Hodges, founder of Detroit-based TRIBE Development, lives in the neighborhood where his firm and CHN Housing Partners are now building the Jefferson Avenue Apartments. Mayor Mary Sheffield and Councilmember Latisha Johnson joined the celebration on East Jefferson between Dickerson and Lennox, where construction is underway on a building set to open in early 2027.

“As a Jefferson-Chalmers resident, I’m very proud to contribute to the vibrancy of our great neighborhood and do meaningful work in my backyard,” Hodges said in the city’s announcement. Here is what the project delivers, and why it stands out. For more neighborhood investment stories, see our Detroit Projects 2026 guide.

At a Glance

The project	Jefferson Avenue Apartments, 52 affordable units in Jefferson-Chalmers
Where	East Jefferson Avenue between Dickerson and Lennox
The units	One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for households at 30, 50, and 60 percent of Area Median Income
Deep affordability	Eight units carry housing vouchers, capping rent at 30 percent of income
Who is building it	CHN Housing Partners with TRIBE Development, founded by neighborhood resident Brandon Hodges
Timeline	Under construction now; completion expected in early 2027
The bigger policy	Comes days after a new executive order steering city property-sale proceeds into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund

What the Jefferson Avenue Apartments Will Offer

The 52 units span one, two, and three bedrooms, which matters because family-sized affordable apartments are among the city’s scarcest housing. Rents will serve households earning 30, 50, and 60 percent of the Area Median Income. In addition, eight units carry project-based vouchers from the Detroit Housing Commission, so those tenants will pay no more than 30 percent of their income in rent.

The building is not bare-bones. Plans include a community room with a kitchen, a fitness room, offices for on-site management, and tenant services to help residents work toward personal and financial goals. Every unit comes with a washer and dryer, dishwasher, air conditioning, and Energy Star appliances. Hiti, DiFrancesco + Siebold designed the building, and MHT Housing is the general contractor.

A Developer Building in His Own Backyard

The story behind the developer sets this project apart. TRIBE Development is a Detroit-based firm focused on affordable and workforce housing, and Hodges, its founder, is a Jefferson-Chalmers resident and District 4 local. Councilmember Johnson made the point directly: she praised CHN for teaming up with a developer who lives in the district he is building in.

The partnership brings scale, too. CHN Housing Partners has developed thousands of affordable homes since 1981 and has worked in Detroit since 2017. Funding for the project flows from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, HOME dollars from the city, and support from Enterprise Community Partners, Independent Bank, Citizens Bank, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis.

Part of a Bigger Shift on Affordability

The timing carries a policy signal. Days before the celebration, Mayor Sheffield issued an executive order directing that 100 percent of proceeds from city-owned commercial property sales go into Detroit’s Affordable Housing Development and Preservation Trust Fund. That fund provides gap financing and grants to keep units affordable and prevent displacement.

“My administration is committed to building a city where Detroiters of all income levels can afford to live in high quality housing in strong neighborhoods,” Sheffield said in the announcement. The Jefferson Avenue Apartments, she added, bring that vision to life in the heart of Jefferson-Chalmers.

Why It Matters

Jefferson-Chalmers is one of Detroit’s most distinctive neighborhoods, a canal district with a century-old business strip that has weathered floods, disinvestment, and rising interest from outside buyers. The project follows the community-driven Jefferson Chalmers Neighborhood Framework Plan, which calls for stabilizing housing and revitalizing the East Jefferson corridor. New deeply affordable homes, built by a neighbor, are about as close to that plan’s intent as it gets. Follow RAW’s community coverage as the building rises toward its 2027 opening.

Jefferson Avenue Apartments FAQ

What is being built in Jefferson-Chalmers?
Jefferson Avenue Apartments, a 52-unit affordable development on East Jefferson between Dickerson and Lennox, with one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Completion is expected in early 2027.

Who is building it?
CHN Housing Partners and TRIBE Development, whose founder Brandon Hodges lives in Jefferson-Chalmers. Hiti, DiFrancesco + Siebold designed it, and MHT Housing is the general contractor.

How affordable will the apartments be?
Units serve households at 30, 50, and 60 percent of Area Median Income, and eight units carry Detroit Housing Commission vouchers capping rent at 30 percent of income.

When will it open?
Construction is underway, with completion expected in early 2027, according to the City of Detroit and the development partners.

What amenities are planned?
A community room with a kitchen, a fitness room, on-site management, tenant services, and in-unit washers, dryers, dishwashers, and air conditioning.

Published July 17, 2026. Details come from the City of Detroit, CHN Housing Partners, and TRIBE Development, and plans can change during construction.