How do I apply for housing assistance?
To apply for housing through the Grand Rapids Housing Commission Low-Income Public Housing or Project-Based Programs, please complete and submit our online Preliminary Application.

The GRHC is not currently accepting new Section 8 applicants due to a lengthy existing waiting list.

I am homeless or need immediate housing assistance. How do I apply for emergency housing?
The GRHC administers Hope Community, a transitional housing program that serves homeless women and their children, however, we are not primarily an emergency housing provider. To apply to Hope Community or to get information about other emergency housing resources, please contact The Salvation Army-Booth Family Services.

Is the Grand Rapids Housing Commission (GRHC) accepting new applicants to its Section 8 Program?
The GRHC is not accepting new applicants to its Section 8 Program due to a lengthy existing waiting list.

I am currently on the Section 8 waiting list. How do I get information about my status on the list?
You can check the status of your application online at https://www.waitlistcheck.com. You can also call the GRHC Waiting List Specialist at 616-235-2600. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.

NOTE: If you applied for Section 8 during August 2010, you applied to the Section 8 Program administered by Kent County Housing Commission (not the GRHC's program). You will need to contact Kent County Housing Commission to inquire regarding the status of your application.

How do I check the status of my application to rent at a GRHC-operated family or retirement development?
You can check the status of your application online at https://www.waitlistcheck.com. You can also call the GRHC Waiting List Specialist at 616-235-2600. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.

How long is the wait to rent family housing at Campau Commons or Creston Plaza Apartments?
The wait varies by unit size. Current average wait times are:

1 bedroom (senior citizen, or disabled and over age 50): 6 months to 1.5 years

2 bedrooms: approximately 2.5 years

3 bedrooms: approximately 2 years

4 bedrooms: approximately 2-2.5 years

How long is the wait to rent a retirement apartment?
The wait varies by development:
Leonard Terrace Apartments, Mount Mercy Apartments, Ransom Tower Apartments: 3-4 months (or approximately the time it takes to process needed paperwork)
Sheldon Apartments: approximately 2 years

How do I update information on a submitted Preliminary Housing Application form?
Please mail updated information, including your full name and current phone number, to:

What exactly needs to be updated on a submitted Preliminary Housing Application form?
It's very important that you keep your current mailing address on file with the GRHC. When your name reaches the top of our waiting list, you will be contacted at the address we have on file. Changes to family composition and income should also be reported.

Are all of the Section 8 programs in the Grand Rapids area administered by the GRHC?
No. In addition to the GRHC, Kent County Housing Commission, Wyoming Housing Commission and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) serve low-income households in our area. Each agency operates independently and administers its own federal Section 8 Program.

To get information about application availability or waiting list procedures for a Section 8 Program administered by the Kent County Housing Commission, Wyoming Housing Commission or MSHDA, you will need to contact those agencies. Click the links below to access agency websites.
Kent County Housing Commission
Wyoming Housing Commission
Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)

I currently live outside of the Grand Rapids area. Can I still apply for housing?
Yes, however, please be aware that our agency-administered family and retirement housing developments are required to serve households currently living within the City of Grand Rapids before we can serve those applying from outside of our area.

How do I apply for employment with the GRHC?
We accept employment applications only when we have an open position. Employment opportunities are advertised in local media and on our website—please check the "Employment" page or our website for updates.

I currently live at an apartment complex that accepts Section 8. Does this mean I can get part of my rent paid by Section 8?
To receive a Section 8 rental subsidy, you must have applied for and been awarded a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher. We are not currently accepting new applicants to our Section 8 Program due to a lengthy existing waiting list.

If you are currently on our Section 8 waiting list, we will contact you by U.S. Mail at the time your name reaches the top of the list. If you are eligible for a Section 8 voucher at that time, the Section 8 Program will pay a portion of the rent on the eligible housing of your choice. Please be sure to keep your mailing address updated as we will contact you at the address we have on file. Address changes must be made in writing to:

Where can I find a listing of available Section 8 apartments?
The GRHC refers Section 8 clients to Michigan Housing Locator, a free online housing rental database provided by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

You can search for Section 8 housing on the MSHDA site, just be sure to check " Accepts HCVs (Section 8) " in the "amenities" section of the search page.

I own rental property. Where can I get information about participating in the Section 8 program?
Please click this link to view a page of our website that offers Section 8 information of interest to rental property owners.

I own rental property. Can I list available Section 8 rental units with the GRHC?
The GRHC does not maintain a listing of available rental properties. We refer property owners who want to list their units to Michigan Housing Locator, a free rental listing/search database operated by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

How do I report a possible housing code violation or file a complaint about my rental housing?
The Grand Rapids Housing Commission administers affordable housing programs for low-income families and is not a primary agency for City code enforcement.

If you are a GRHC Section 8 client, please contact your Section 8 Coordinator. If you rent at a GRHC-administered housing development, please contact your GRHC Housing Management staff.

Renters who do not participate in GRHC housing programs should report possible housing code violations to the City of Grand Rapids Code Compliance Division.