The Residences at St. Matthew transformed a long-vacant Catholic school on Detroit’s east side into stable housing for residents with limited incomes. Built in 1930 and once serving more than 1,000 students, the St. Matthew School had sat empty for nearly a decade before being redeveloped into 46 affordable apartments.
The $20.49 million redevelopment was led by Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan with Cinnaire Solutions serving as co-developer and providing development management and technical support.
Cinnaire Lending provided both early and long-term financing that was critical to advancing the project. A $200,000 predevelopment loan supplied the early capital needed to complete feasibility work, advance project planning, and secure the financing commitments required to move the redevelopment into construction.
Cinnaire Lending also provided a $1.7 million permanent loan that became an important component of the project’s long-term capital stack, helping to stabilize the financing and support the property’s long-term affordability and operations. Without this early and permanent financing, the redevelopment timeline would have been significantly delayed and the project’s overall viability placed at risk.
Today the redevelopment provides 46 affordable homes for Detroit residents. Twenty-five apartments are reserved for permanent supportive housing for individuals who previously experienced homelessness, with services delivered through partnerships including the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
