RFP goes out to develop 35-units of rental housing in Hamtramck

The City of Hamtramck -- along with a consortium comprised of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, U.S. District Court Judge Damon J. Keith and a community development corporation -- has issued a request for proposals for the development of 35 units of rental housing in the city.

This scattered-site rehab development will go some ways towards meeting the requirements of the case of Garret, et al vs. City of Hamtramck that was settled back in 1981. After these are complete, 69 units remain to settle the case out of an original total of 153.

Garret, et al vs. City came about when the development of I-75 displaced many residents, primarily African-Americans, from Hamtramck. Some units of for-sale single-family housing have been completed already, but these rental units reflect the changing market, says Edwin Harlan, MSHDA's assistant to the director. "It's kind of hard to sell new homes," he says, saying that changing the overall project has been a difficult process that became necessary because "the environment is so dynamic, it changes daily."

While the bulk of the new construction homes are centered in the Grand Haven-Dyer part of Hamtramck, located west of I-75, these rehabs will be scattered around the city. Residents will be income-qualified at or below 30 percent of the Area Median Income.

Harlan says that construction will begin in October and wrap up in the first quarter of 2010.

For more information, please review the RFP at www.hamtramckcity.us or www.downtownhamtramck.com. A paper copy may be obtained from the City of Hamtramck Clerk’s Office located at 3401 Evaline. Questions regarding the RFP should be directed to the City of Hamtramck Department of Community and Economic Development at 313-870-0294.

Sources: Jason Friedmann, City of Hamtramck and Edwin Harlan, MSHDA
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh