Cleveland’s West Side Poised for New Affordable Housing Near Red Line Transit

One by one, the used-car dealerships lining Lorain Avenue on Cleveland’s West Side are vanishing—replaced by multifamily housing aimed at lower-income families. The latest proposal comes from Volker Development Inc., a Wisconsin-based firm with a Lakewood office, which has applied for Ohio’s highly competitive 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to finance a 65-unit apartment building at 5301 Lorain Avenue.

Currently home to Diversified Auto Sales LLC, a family-owned used-car lot since 1992, the 1.017-acre site in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood is poised for transformation. The proposed building would offer 44 two-bedroom, 11 three-bedroom, and 10 one-bedroom units affordable to families earning between 30 and 70 percent of Cleveland’s area median income—$43,107 in 2025.

Volker’s plan hinges on securing scarce state tax credits and city design approvals, neither guaranteed. The $19.7 million project would replace several structures, including a wood-framed commercial building dating from the 1890s. While the site could theoretically accommodate a different building design preserving the historic structure, that option appears unlikely if Volker intends to build a second phase overlooking the nearby Norfolk Southern freight railroad and Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) Red Line tracks.

The project’s location is strategic: just blocks from the West 65th-Lorain Red Line rapid transit station and served by the No. 22 bus route, both offering frequent, near-24-hour service. This proximity to transit aligns with a broader surge in transit-oriented development (TOD) across Cuyahoga County, which saw a record $324 million invested in 2025 alone, bringing total TOD investment to $1.5 billion over seven years.

Greg Baron, Volker’s managing director, emphasized the project’s transit focus in a letter to Cleveland’s city council, highlighting amenities such as in-unit washers and dryers, security systems, and a community room. The development aims to meet growing demand for affordable housing with easy access to public transit, responding to rising gas prices and shifting commuter preferences.

The Lorain West project joins a wave of revitalization efforts along Lorain Avenue, including renovations of historic buildings and mixed-use developments like Aspen Place, a 40-unit affordable apartment complex adjacent to the Red Line station.

Cuyahoga County Planning Manager Patrick Hewitt noted that the trend reflects a desire among residents to reduce car dependence and live near frequent transit routes. As Cleveland continues to grapple with affordable housing shortages and transit equity, projects like Lorain West represent critical steps toward building inclusive, connected communities.

Volker and property owner Mike Pisano did not respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, local community development leaders are still assessing the project’s potential impact.

This development is a key test of Cleveland’s commitment to affordable housing and sustainable urban growth in a period marked by increasing economic pressures and transit demand.