Detroit, Michigan – On May 7, Detroit city officials, community activists, and locals came together to commemorate the resurrection of the long-abandoned St. Matthew School property as The Residences at St. Matthew, a 46-unit affordable housing development on Detroit’s east side. Once a vacant brick shell at 6000 Audubon Road, what now throbs with life is bright corridors, renovated classrooms, and newly planted gardens. The ceremonial opening was not just a turning point for local development but also a touching tribute to the history of the area.
Vacant since 2015, the historic campus has been meticulously restored under a $20.49 million makeover spearheaded by Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan (CCSEM) working with Cinnaire Solutions. Inside the former classrooms, residents now occupy 36 one-bedroom units, six studios, and four two-bedroom apartments. Of the 25 total apartments, half are designated as Permanent Supportive Housing, providing wraparound services to people who previously experienced homelessness under a partnership with the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
Reflecting on the larger relevance of the initiative, Julie Schneider, head of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department, said it combines dignity and opportunity with bricks and concrete.
“The Residences at St. Matthew is a powerful reminder that Detroit’s housing strategy is about more than bricks and mortar — it’s about restoring dignity, creating stability, and honoring our neighborhoods’ rich histories,” said Julie Schneider. “This project delivers on our commitment to ensure every Detroiter has access to safe, affordable housing, while transforming a beloved landmark into a place of opportunity and healing.”
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Built to serve generations of parish families under St. Matthew Parish, founded in 1926, the school itself dates back to 1930. At its peak, the school had more than 1,000 students and staffed many religious sisters with lay teachers. Over the years, a convent, gym and activity center maintained active community life—until falling enrollment in 2008 closed it. Restoration work preserved the grand facade, terra-cotta detailing, and traditional arched windows of the building, so harmonizing history with contemporary conveniences.
Mayor Mike Duggan, himself baptized at St. Matthew in 1958, spoke warmly of the church’s enduring mission. He praised the Archdiocese of Detroit and Catholic Charities for breathing new life into these walls.
“St. Matthews is one of several former catholic school buildings in Detroit that are seeing new life as affordable housing and the permanent supportive housing at the Residences at St. Matthews is a great example of the church continuing to deliver on its mission of caring for those most in need. I am so grateful to the Archdiocese of Detroit, Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan and all of the partners who have made this great project possible,” Mayor Mike Duggan said.
The multipurpose former gymnasium now hosts resident services, health screenings and community gatherings, part of Catholic Charities USA’s Healthy Housing Initiative. CCSEM, one of only five agencies selected nationwide, integrates on-site health programs through Henry Ford St. John Hospital, aiming to improve tenants’ overall well-being alongside housing stability.
Financing for the project combined Low Income Housing Tax Credits, federal and local grants, Historic Tax Credits and City of Detroit HOME Funds. Christopher Laurent, president of Cinnaire Solutions, hailed the financing structure as a model of collaboration and compassion: “The Residences at St. Matthew not only preserves an important piece of Detroit’s history but also creates hope and opportunity for Detroiters who need it most.”
For Chad Benson of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, the Residences at St. Matthew stand as proof that thoughtful redevelopment can honor heritage and address urgent needs. As the ribbon was cut, laughter and conversation spilled into the courtyard—a clear sign that this storied campus, once silent, has found its purpose anew.