Detroit’s St. Mary of Redford Parish Takes on New Housing Initiative
DETROIT — In an exciting development for the local community, St. Mary of Redford Parish is embarking on an ambitious project to repurpose an unused school building as supportive housing for low-income residents and those at risk of homelessness. This initiative makes St. Mary’s the third parish in the Archdiocese of Detroit to transform underutilized properties into much-needed living spaces.
A Fresh Approach to Housing
Fr. Athanasius Fornwalt, the parish administrator, emphasizes that this is not just about providing affordable housing but creating supportive service housing—an essential platform that offers much more than just financial assistance. “I don’t call it affordable housing,” he explains, highlighting the importance of comprehensive support for residents. “This is supportive service housing. The concept involves offering residents much more than just monetary aid to afford housing.”
The parish aims to close on the sale of the old school building to the Volunteers of America Michigan (VOAMI) by April or May of 2025, with hopes that construction will kick off by mid-2026. Residents could start moving in a year later, marking a significant step toward addressing homelessness in Detroit.
Building on a Successful Model
St. Mary of Redford Parish isn’t alone in this endeavor. In recent years, other Detroit-area parishes have announced similar projects aimed at revitalizing community spaces. For example, in 2022, St. Matthew Parish on Detroit’s east side revealed plans to convert its school buildings into permanent supportive housing in partnership with Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan and Cinnaire Solutions. Likewise, in 2017, the parish now known as St. John Paul II made headlines with Detroit’s first affordable Catholic parish housing project, transforming its former school into Transfiguration Place Apartments.
A Collaborative Effort for Better Lives
Fr. Fornwalt expresses eagerness about collaborating with the Volunteers of America, praising their mission and established practices. “I love their style. They know what they are doing, and they are making people’s lives better,” he shared. Meanwhile, Michele Watkins, vice president of housing for VOAMI, describes the upcoming St. Mary of Redford project as a part of the housing first initiative—a system prioritizing permanent housing as the foundation for further support.
“We move individuals into permanent supportive housing to provide them with voluntary supportive services aimed at stabilizing them,” Watkins elaborated. The goals from these efforts are substantial: improving housing stability, increasing employment opportunities, and offering access to community resources like healthcare and education.
A Shared Mission for Community Wellness
Fr. Fornwalt sees this project not just as housing but as a holistic approach to community care. “Our future residents will have financial assistance, but it goes way beyond that,” he notes. “VOAMI has a built-in ethic that’s concerned about the whole person.” He believes that ensuring a secure, comfortable environment will empower residents to thrive with dignity.
When VOAMI began scouting properties, they were guided by information from Joe Heaphy, the president of Ethos Development Partners. Not only does Ethos specialize in developing affordable housing, but they also share a vision of revitalizing historic buildings. “Schools lend themselves well to this,” Heaphy explained, noting that many classrooms are roughly the size of studio apartments.
Combining Resources for Maximum Impact
St. Mary’s school has been on the market for two decades, and several possible buyers were considered before the partnership with VOAMI was finalized. After learning about the successes at St. Matthew Parish, Fr. Fornwalt sought insights from Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, which significantly expedited the approval process for the project. “It took only six months to get approval,” he recounted, acknowledging the groundwork laid by previous projects in the area.
A Vision for the Future
The community is optimistic that this approach can serve as a model to combat homelessness across other neighborhoods in Detroit and beyond. As Heaphy states, “It’s a win for all involved: nonprofits, the archdiocese, and local residents seeking affordable housing.”
For anyone interested in supporting this impactful project or learning more, please refer to the resources available through the Volunteers of America Michigan and St. Mary of Redford Parish.
