A 50-unit affordable housing development on the east side of Detroit is now open for homeless veterans and residents with disabilities to apply.
City officials and development partners gathered on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Benjamin O. Davis Veterans Village for the grand opening of the $16 million project named after Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis Sr., the U.S. Army’s first Black general. The housing, located at 20129 Conner St., is set aside for homeless veterans and people with disabilities, and rent can be a maximum of 30% of a tenant’s monthly income.
“It addresses so many critical needs in our community − expanding affordable housing, which we all know is the dire need; advancing homelessness solutions; ensuring accessibility for residents with disabilities, and also providing dedicated support for our veterans,” said Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield.
A one-night tally in January 2025 of people facing homelessness in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park counted 110 veterans in emergency shelter, transitional housing or other programs. Meanwhile, 334 people were found to be chronically homeless last year (meaning they had a disabling condition and had been homeless for a long period of time), compared to 251 in 2024 − up 33%, according to the Homeless Action Network of Detroit’s Point-in-Time count.
Quincy Allen, now a resident of the Benjamin O. Davis Veterans Village, said he appreciated his new home and the support system that comes with it. The veteran told the crowd at the event how his mental health declined after his wife died in 2020. He felt as though the walls of his home were closing in and he couldn’t ever go back. Allen described feeling peace, hope and stability.
“I’m surrounded by other veterans, so if I need to talk, I have other people that I can talk to,” Allen said.
Here’s what to know about the housing development and how to apply.
How many units are available?
The Benjamin O. Davis Veterans Village has 50 one-bedroom apartments and includes amenities such as a media room, kitchen, dining area and an outdoor dog park. Half of the units are permanent supportive housing for veterans facing chronic homelessness; the rest are slated for residents with disabilities, according to a news release.
As of Wednesday, Feb. 25, 44 units were available, according to Valerie Weatherly, a development consultant for the project.
How much is rent?
Rent is capped at 30% of a tenant’s monthly income. The rent is subsidized with 25 vouchers from the Detroit Housing Commission and 25 vouchers from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, or MSHDA. Support services include: mental health, substance abuse and employment resources.
How to apply
For more information and to apply, go to the Detroit Housing Commission’s website atwww.dhcmi.org (navigate to the residents tab and then the project based voucher site). Interested applicants can also call the Coordinated Assessment Model, or CAM, phone number at 313-305-0311. CAM is the main entryway for people in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park to get into shelter or access other housing resources.
The wait list is currently open for the Benjamin O. Davis Veterans Village on the Detroit Housing Commission’s website, which has a list of other project-based voucher program locations.
How to find affordable housing in Detroit
The city of Detroit has an online search tool called Detroit Home Connect for households looking for housing, based on their income. Users of the site are encouraged to double check with the property for up-to-date information. For more information, go to https://homeconnect.detroitmi.gov/.
Reach reporter Nushrat Rahman at nrahman@freepress.com.
