121 Catherine is a six-story, 63-unit multi-use, affordable housing project in Ann Arbor Michigan co-developed by the City of Ann Arbor and Avalon Housing. This will be the first City of Ann Arbor affordable housing development to aim for Passive House US (PHIUS) Certification. All units will be available to people earning up to 60% AMI and half of the units will be supportive housing units for unhoused individuals and families.

In collaboration with Artspace, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that promotes the use of non-residential space for the arts, 34 units will be available for income-qualifying artists. The ground floor will combine an art gallery and a small business incubator that supports BIPOC business entrepreneurship.

The design proposes 62 one-bedroom units and 1 two-bedroom, 1-bathroom unit with tenant community space. In alignment with the City’s goals of carbon neutrality by 2030, the Catherine Development will be all-electric, with a building shell that minimizes air infiltration and maximizes heating and cooling efficiency. The building will also include highly efficient appliances and water fixtures. The rooftop will maximize the production of renewable energy and rainwater capture through the co-location of a green roof and solar panels.

The project will provide 16 parking spaces including electric vehicle charging stations, an electric vehicle carshare for residents, and a pedestrian pathway through the site to the Kerrytown Farmers Market and other amenities.