24-unit Springwells Townhomes break ground, to include 11 units of ‘grandfamilies’ housing

After more than two decades of planning, Bridging Communities has realized a dream: the development of the first housing in Detroit specifically designed for grandfamilies.

In developing the Pablo Davis Elder Living Center in Southwest Detroit, Bridging Communities began to see a need for this specific type of housing. “There are 30,000 instances in the city of Detroit alone of grandparents raising grandchildren,” says Marion Bloye of Bridging Communities.

Bloye explains that a grandfamily has unique needs that typical supportive housing does not provide. “There is a need for a different kind of housing: senior facilities don’t have what kids need, like playgrounds,” she says.

The Springwells Townhomes development is 24 rental units on three scattered sites, 11 of which will be reserved for grandparents raising grandchildren. Units are two and three bedrooms, some with handicap access. There is a clubhouse with a computer lab available for residents’ use.

Bloye characterizes the development as one that, along with concurrent efforts of other members of the Springwells Village Collaborative, will stabilize its immediate area.

Source: Marion Bloye, Bridging Communities
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh