The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is ready to hand the Detroit Housing Commission back to local managers after assuming control of the agency six years ago.

HUD’s assistant secretary Sandra Henriquez and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing announced this past week that Detroit’s Housing Commission will be placed back in local control.

HUD took over the program several years ago after taking note of serious administrative, financial and management issues.

Over the course of the past several years, HUD worked closely with the city to improve the commission’s management and financial operations.

In January 2008, Eugene Jones was selected to lead DHC’s day-to-day operations.

“The Detroit Housing Commission made significant progress since 2005 and we believe it’s time to begin the process to return it to local control,” said Henriquez.  “We want to ensure we’re giving Mayor Bing, and this city, an agency that is solvent and able to meet the needs of Detroit families.”

The change was announced at the site of the Emerald Springs housing development, which will eventually feature 200 public and affordable housing units. The development will feature a community center where residents can attend educational and employment sessions. The site will finished in 2014 with the help of $35 million in public and private funds.

Detroit is part of the HUD pilot program “Strong Cities, Strong Communities”– an initiative designed to rebuild struggling urban cities.

Write to Kerri Panchuk.