Art for God’s Sake and Cathedral leaders joined Archbishop Weisenburger, City of Detroit leaders, MHT Housing, Inc., and Citizens to celebrate the grand opening of the Cathedral Arts Apartments, a transformative new development that brings 53 deeply affordable housing units to the Gateway Community, just north of Boston-Edison: right across Woodward from the Cathedral.
The $19.7 million development is a joint venture between the Cathedral and MHT Housing. Beyond housing, Cathedral Arts provides 6,000 square feet of commercial and community space, including a key feature: the M Training Center, a workforce development hub operated by MHT that will connect Detroit residents to paid training, internships, and full-time employment in the property maintenance and multifamily housing industry.
With $500,000 in capital from Citizens, MHT Housing built out the commercial space on the first floor of the Cathedral Arts Apartments for The M Training Center – a key community asset offering hands-on training, career pathway programming, and job placement for residents across the city. The center includes a fully furnished sample apartment – including a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Students will be trained in the areas of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, painting, appliance repair and janitorial services. At the end of the 4-week program, students will earn a stipend – and receive interview training and support in creating a resume.
“At Citizens, we believe that affordable housing and economic mobility go hand in hand,” said Yasmeen Jasey, Citizens Michigan President. “Our support of the Cathedral Arts Apartments and M Training Center—an innovative model that delivers not only deeply affordable homes, but real career pathways for Detroit residents – reflects our commitment to investing in communities in a way that is inclusive, sustainable, and rooted in long-term impact.”
The M Training Center exemplifies MHT’s commitment to building not just homes, but futures. This will be MHT’s second workforce training site in Detroit.
There are currently 22 students enrolled at the M Training Center. The property offers 53 affordable two-bedroom units, with rent rates as low as $540 per month. Sixteen units are supported by Project-Based Vouchers from the Detroit Housing Commission, ensuring residents pay no more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities. The building is currently fully leased.
“On behalf of the Archdiocese of Detroit, I offer my deep gratitude to the City of Detroit, MHT Housing, and the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament for their extraordinary partnership in bringing the Cathedral Arts Apartments to life,” said Archbishop of Detroit Edward J. Weisenburger. “This project is a powerful sign of what God can accomplish through faithful collaboration—when public leadership, community expertise, and the Church come together in service to our neighbors in need, our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.”
Funding for the project was made possible through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and Citizens, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Housing Trust Funds, as well as contributions from the Archdiocese, MHT, and DHC.
“MSHDA is proud to invest in a development that brings 53 deeply affordable homes to life in a community rich with history and promise,” said Chad Benson, the agency’s Director of Development. “Cathedral Arts is more than just housing; it’s an investment in people, in opportunity, and in the future of Detroit.”
The Cathedral’s involvement in planning and implementation of the Cathedral Arts Apartments is one of the earliest fruits of Art for God’s Sake, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to raising the funds to realize the Cathedral’s vision of becoming an Apostolic Center of Arts and Culture without infringing on limited parish resources. Thus far, the initiative has also generated the “Journey with the Saints” pilgrimage featuring relics of the Twelve Apostles, the Holy Paws Dog Park, and a burgeoning pollinator habitat. Development proceeds and cash flow from Cathedral Arts Apartments will feed back into Art for God’s Sake and the parish itself.
“This effort reflects what it means to build not just housing, but community rooted in faith and compassion. This is the heart of the vision behind Art for God’s Sake,” said Father J.J. Mech, rector of the Cathedral. “With the Cathedral offering spiritual care just across the street, Catholic Charities providing essential wraparound services next door, the M1 Center onsite to equip residents with job skills, and local businesses moving in soon, this space embodies the Church’s commitment to living God’s love through service to his people.”
Art for God’s Sake is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) established in 2019 to support the Cathedral’s growth as an Apostolic Center of Arts and Culture — connecting faith with the beauty of architecture, art, creativity, and service in order to bring healing, grace, hope, and joy to all of God’s people. AFGS seeks to turn the Cathedral campus into a neighborhood hub and a top destination. Anyone wishing to know more, donate, or get involved, please visit our AFGS page.
[Some of the photos in this post are from the City of Detroit; thanks!]
