By Journal Staff

MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority on Thursday announced more than $13 million in federal low-income housing tax credits have been awarded to support the development or rehabilitation of 500 future homes across 10 affordable housing projects from Marquette to Detroit.

The total investment from these projects is over $173 million and will create over 30 permanent jobs and over 800 temporary jobs, the governor’s office said in a news release.

Woda Cooper Development Inc., and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community were awarded $1,453,400 to build 50 units at Black Rock Crossing.

“In Michigan, we are building housing and revitalizing communities to make our cities and towns more affordable places to live, work and invest,” Whitmer said in a news release. “Housing is a national challenge, and in Michigan, we are taking bold actions to meet our goal of building or rehabilitating 75,000 housing units over five years. Having a safe, affordable place to call home is the foundation for upward economic mobility for families and the communities they choose to call home.”

Developers that receive LIHTC awards can claim credits against their tax liability annually for up to 10 years, an important initiative that helps incentivize investments in affordable housing in local communities across the state, the governor’s office said.This current round of funding will enable the creation or preservation of 543 total rental units.

“These projects represent our commitment to ensuring residents across Michigan have access to housing that they can afford in the community they choose,” said Tony Lentych, MSHDA’s chief housing investment officer, in a news release. “Our projects not only provided much needed housing for residents, they also support and strengthen local economies and create opportunities for growth.”