Dayton Has Finished New Affordable Housing Units

The $15.3 million project at the historic DeSoto Bass site provides 44 modernized apartments for local families.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Apartments

Dayton Has Finished New Affordable Housing Units

Live Poll

Do you support prioritizing redevelopment of aging public housing to provide modern, affordable units in your community?

Greater Dayton Premier Management has completed phase one of a major redevelopment effort, delivering 44 new affordable housing units across nine buildings. This project replaces aging 1940s-era housing while securing 20-year project-based rental assistance for occupants.

Why it matters

The redevelopment modernizes the historic DeSoto Bass site, which first opened in 1940 as the city's inaugural public housing facility. By upgrading aging infrastructure, the initiative maintains essential affordable housing capacity in the Dayton community.

The phase one development consists of 44 units across nine buildings at a total project cost of $15.3 million. Residents of the original site were offered a right of first refusal for the new housing or relocation to Germantown Crossing.

The players

Greater Dayton Premier Management

This is the housing authority responsible for managing and redeveloping public housing sites in Dayton.

HUD

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is the federal agency partnering with local entities on public housing oversight and redevelopment funding.

The details

During the construction process, residents of demolished buildings were relocated within the property to minimize disruption. Greater Dayton Premier Management is also pursuing an official Ohio Historical Marker to recognize the site's legacy, including its historical role in providing housing to Black tenants when other options were unavailable.

DeSoto Bass Courts first opened in February 1940.
Phase one construction was completed in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The renewal of the DeSoto Bass site signals a transition from 1940s-era public housing models toward modern, long-term assisted living standards. This shift reflects a broader societal movement to preserve historical urban landmarks while upgrading living conditions for current residents.

Eligible families who previously resided at the site maintain a right of first refusal for these new units, offering them improved living conditions. The inclusion of 20-year project-based rental assistance provides long-term housing stability for those in the local community.

The takeaway

The successful completion of these units demonstrates how agencies can modernize aging public infrastructure without displacing established residential communities. Residents should monitor future announcements regarding additional phases of the site redevelopment for potential housing opportunities.