Community members gathered in Detroit’s North End neighborhood on Tuesday to celebrate the completion of a new $7.3 million mixed-use affordable housing project.

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“The Beauton” will feature 29 new units, including 10 micro studio units, 15 studio units, two one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units — with rents based on 50-120% of area median income (AMI), and over half of the units at or below 80%. Rents for the micro units will be as low as $700 per month, and affordability is guaranteed for the next 12 years under the agreement.

“North End has seen a lot of new investment that can bring rent pressures for existing residents,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan in a statement.  “The Beauton will bring 29 more units of much-needed affordable housing to North End to help make sure residents of all income levels can live in a growing and thriving neighborhood.”

Led by Detroit developer Charles Dickerson, the project was made possible by funding from several sources, including $1.5 million from the Detroit Housing for the Future Fund (DHFF); nearly $2.5 million from Capital Impact Partners; $1.5 million from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and additional support.

DHFF is a private investment fund aimed at directing funding to create and preserve affordable housing in Detroit. The fund is anchored by a $15 million commitment from JPMorgan Chase of the fund’s total $58 million raise and a $10 million guarantee from The Kresge Foundation.

Including The Beauton, the DHFF has funded 13 projects totaling 435 new or preserved affordable units in the city.

“Projects like The Beauton exemplify the power of partnership and the impact of the Detroit Housing for the Future Fund in creating affordable housing solutions that meet the needs of our residents,” said Julie Schneider, director of the city’s Housing and Revitalization Department.

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Other headlines for Friday, Nov. 15, 2024:

• A 3-year-old sloth bear named Jagger has found a new home at the Detroit Zoo. This is the first time a sloth bear has been in the zoo in decades, according to zoo officials. Officials also say that she’ll be spending the next few days getting acclimated to her new home before stepping outdoors.
• The 21st annual Detroit Tree Lighting ceremony is taking place from 4-9 p.m. next Friday, Nov. 22. The free event kicks off the holiday season with stellar performances by national and local musical acts and figure skaters. There will also be food trucks, and unique lighting attractions across Downtown Detroit.
• Tickets are still available for Dave Chappelle and Killer Mike’s Still Talkin’ That Sh*t tour stop at the Fox Theatre tonight at 8 p.m.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Tonight on the Detroit Evening Report, we cover Harris’ recent visit to Detroit to shore up support from Black male voters; the opening of the new Dr. Maya Angelou Village in northwest Detroit and more.

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Harris joins The Breakfast Club in Detroit

Vice President Kamala Harris spent part of the day in Detroit on Tuesday to take part in an “audio town hall” moderated by Charlamagne Tha God, host of iHeartRadio’s nationally syndicated radio show “The Breakfast Club.”  Discussion topics ranged from the economy, to the use of misinformation, to the violence on Jan. 6, 2021. 

“Donald Trump incited a violent mob to try and undo the will of the people and undo the results of a free and fair election,” Harris said Tuesday. “That violent mob attacked the United States Capitol. Over 140 law enforcement officers were injured.  Some of them were killed. And he has said since then, that there will be a bloodbath after this election.”

Harris has been working to attract more Black male voters in recent weeks, making several trips to Detroit in the process.    

Harris and Trump in Detroit Friday

Both Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are scheduled to campaign in metro Detroit on Friday. The Harris campaign announced Wednesday that former President Barack Obama will come to Detroit next Tuesday. Michigan is a key battleground state in what is expected to be a very close presidential election. 

Duggan to host District 6 meeting

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is scheduled to hold a charter-mandated community meeting in District 6 Wednesday night. It’s an opportunity to hear from the mayor and his administration about important news and events in the area. Officials from the Detroit Police Department will be there to give a presentation to residents about code enforcement. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Kingdom Apostolic Ministries, 4735 W Fort St., Detroit. Interested residents can also join the meeting via Zoom. 

Maya Angelou Village opens

A new development named after renowned poet Dr. Maya Angelou has opened in northwest Detroit, Model D reports. The mixed-use permanent supportive housing development, located near Grand River and Burt Road, is a partnership between a Chicago-based developer and the Detroit-based non-profit Alternatives for Girls.   The non-profit focuses on serving at-risk girls and young women in Detroit.  

Devin Scillian retiring

Longtime Detroit television anchor Devin Scillian is retiring. He announced the move last night on WDIV.   

“I am currently in my 30th year here at WDIV. And maybe it’s the roundness of that number, but I’ve decided to move on to the next chapter of what has been a most enjoyable and gratifying book,” he said.

Scillian started at the station in 1995. In the past three decades, he has covered politics, natural disasters, court trials, the Olympics and a wide range of news stories in metro Detroit. Scillian gained national prominence shortly before coming to Detroit, when he covered the Oklahoma City bombing for a local station there. He says he has decided to retire now to devote more attention to some of his other passions, including writing children’s books and singing with his band. Scillian’s last newscast will be sometime in December. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.