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September 30, 2025
BENTON HARBOR, MI — On the former site of Mercy Hospital, where generations of families once came for healing, a new chapter begins. Project T, a transformative redevelopment of the Mercy Hospital campus, is officially breaking ground with the construction of 14 duplex buildings. Phase 1 will include 28 new homes with 39 additional homes planned for phase 2. When complete, the project will deliver up to 77 homes and reimagine an important Benton Harbor neighborhood and corridor.
“I grew up watching my mother serve this community as an emergency room nurse at Mercy Hospital, which exposed me early on to the deep pride and challenges that coexist in Benton Harbor,” says Erin Hudson, executive director of Harbor Habitat for Humanity. “This area has incredible history and heart, and Project T is about honoring that legacy while creating new opportunities — homes that families can afford, spaces where children can thrive, and neighborhoods that reflect the strength of the people who will call this place home for generations to come.”
“We are proud to partner and make this vision a reality, with Renovare Development, a woman-owned company with a proven record of leading transformational projects that strengthen communities across Michigan,” Hudson added.
Developed in partnership by Renovare Development and Harbor Habitat for Humanity, with support from MSHDA, the Michigan Growth Office, the City of Benton Harbor, and Whirlpool Foundation, Project T blends public and private investment to strengthen neighborhoods. A grant from Whirlpool Foundation, paired with a local Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Missing Middle funding from MSHDA, made the project possible. The Michigan Growth Office has championed Project T as part of its statewide strategy to grow Michigan’s population by investing in quality housing and vibrant communities.
“At the Michigan Growth Office, we’re focused on ensuring those who already call Michigan home have everything they need to build a bright future here, while welcoming new residents to join us. Efforts like Project T make the dream of homeownership possible for young people and families who may have thought that dream was out of reach,” said Hilary Doe, Michigan’s chief growth officer. “This kind of bold, innovative effort is what it takes to help grow our state – providing great opportunities, great places, and welcoming communities that offer high quality housing at an affordable cost.”
Phase 1 includes 28 two- and three-bedroom homes for families earning 60–120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Six homes will be built to Zero Energy Ready standards, with planning supported by Whirlpool Corporation’s social responsibility and sustainability team, with sustainable features woven throughout the site. Combined with specialty mortgage products, down payment assistance, and grants, Project T is designed to help families build equity, strengthen stability, and create generational wealth.
“Project T advances our mission through a comprehensive approach to housing development that aligns with statewide housing goals while helping families build long-term wealth,” said Amy Hovey, MSHDA CEO and Executive Director. “With the commitment of employers like Whirlpool and the dedication of local partners, this initiative is a model for the state and the nation.”
Whirlpool Corporation, a longtime community advocate and corporate supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, has invested both financial and technical support.
“Whirlpool Corporation has called Benton Harbor home for more than a century, and our investment in Project T reflects our belief in this community’s future,” said Marc Bitzer, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation. “By supporting sustainable design and attainable homeownership, we’re helping create opportunities for families to build wealth and ensure thriving neighborhoods for the long term.”
Community engagement will be central to the project’s rollout. Public information sessions — including lunch-and-learns for teachers, city staff, fire and police, and other essential workers — will offer residents opportunities to learn about homeownership pathways, specialty financing, and tools to achieve affordable homeownership. As those sessions are scheduled, they’ll be announced on projecttbentonharbor.com.
In the future, Phase 2 will add 39 rental units anchored by a high-quality childcare center, ensuring families not only have access to housing but the support systems needed to thrive. Together, these phases reflect a holistic vision for the Mercy Hospital campus – a place where healing once happened, and where stability, opportunity, and community will continue to grow for generations to come.
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