Housing Development in Harper Woods is Community’s First in Decades

The first new housing development in Harper Woods will bring 71 units-for sale to the Metro Detroit suburb.

Robertson Brothers Homes and Renovare Development, in partnership with the Michigan State Housing Developemnt Authority (MSHDA), invited stakeholders to a groundbreaking ceremony for Fraser Square Wednesday morning on Lennon Street in Harper Woods.

Developers and state stakeholders said goal of the project is to ensure those who serve the community have an attainable path to homeownership.

Michigan badly needs new homes. MSHDA estimates the state is approximately 119,000 units short of demand. Developers say it’s difficult for to build homes that residents can afford to buy or rent without additional funding sources.

The project will create 71 homes, 48 duplexes and 23 townhomes, priced below the cost of construction, targeting families earning 60-120% of the area median income. The developers described the project as “attainable housing,” with part of the funding coming from MSHDA’s Missing Middle Housing Program. Thirteen units will be sold at market rate, while the rest will be priced in the mid-$200Ks and reserved for families earning 60–120% of Area Median Income (AMI). A majority of the homes are being sold below the cost of construction and include downpayment assistance for qualified buyers.

The project, built at the former site of Poupard Elementary School, prioritizes teachers, first responders, and city employees, through early access and targeted outreach.

Dr. Andrea Tuttle, Superintendent of Grosse Pointe Public School System, said the housing development marks a new chapter for Harper Woods and the continuation of the strong relationship between the city and the Grosse Pointe Public School System.

“As many of you know, closing Poupard Elementary was one of the most difficult decisions that the district has ever had to make,” Tuttle said. “Declining enrollment made that a reality that we couldn’t avoid any longer. But the heart of that school, the students, the families, has remained very much alive.”

Fraser Square is named after Carol Weaver, a beloved first grade teacher at Poupard Elementary School, which was torn down in preparation for the housing development. The homes are located within the Grosse Pointe School District. Dr. Andrea Tuttle, Superintendent of Grosse Pointe Public School System, and representatives from Renovare also spoke about how meaningful naming the development after Fraser was to the community.

“It is fitting that her name will grace a place where new families can plant roots and thrive,” Tuttle said.

Harper Woods Mayor Valerie J. Kindle thanked the state, private and community partners who helped get the project off the ground.

Michigan’s Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, appointed by the governor to lead the state’s population effort, said investments like Fraser Square are a major piece of what the state needs to grow.

“And this makes homeownership even more of a reality for Michiganders in this community, especially for our essential workers,” Doe said.

Harper Woods has seen some change in recent years. The Eastland Commerce Center, at the site of the old Eastland Mall, has been cited by city leaders as a linchpin for new economic activity in the city.

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