The Grand Rapids Housing Commission (GRHC) is currently working with the research firm Econometrica to conduct a Fair Market Rent Study for Kent County. The study will provide the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) with updated, locally based rental market data and could result in as much as $1.7 million in additional federal housing funding for West Michigan in 2027. HUD Fair Market Rents (FMRs) establish rent benchmarks by unit size for federal rental housing subsidy programs in a given geographic area. The most recent FMRs published by HUD underestimate the rents in our competitive marketplace by $200 to $300 dollars per unit. HUD allows housing authorities to set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards to up to 110 percent of FMR and the GRHC has set our rents at 109 percent; this helps our Housing Choice Voucher Program participants compete for units but also increases the subsidy cost per household, so fewer households can be served. FMRs that more accurately reflect actual rental costs could provide the GRHC with funding to support 150 to 200 more housing vouchers and serve more families. As part of the Fair Market Rent Study, a survey has been distributed to 25,000 randomly selected households; this is expected to wrap up late this year, with an FMR appeal sent to HUD by January. The GRHC conducted a similar rent study in late 2022 and successfully appealed to HUD, resulting in updated 2023 FMRs for Kent County and the Grand Rapids-Wyoming Metropolitan Area that increased local rent benchmarks for HUD programs an average of 20 percent. The Fair Market Rent Study is part of our commitment as a Downtown Pathways Project partner; we are grateful to these organizations for their financial support of this effort: |
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City of Grand Rapids Peter C & Emajean Cook Foundation DeVos Family Foundation Frey Foundation Grand Rapids Community Foundation |
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| Jandernoa Foundation Kent Councy Meijer Foundation Steve & Amy Ruis Foundation of
Grand Rapids Community Foundation |
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Tax Credits Awarded to Two GRHC Partner Developments |
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848 Division Avenue South, site of a future senior housing development |
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During June the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) awards for two planned affordable housing developments in which the GRHC is a project partner: 848 Division, Grand Rapids – Tax Credit Award: $1,473,661 The property shown above at 848 Division Avenue South across from Campau Commons Apartments will be the site of a planned affordable housing development that is a joint venture of the GRHC, Samaritas and United Methodist Community House; the 46-unit development will offer one- and two-bedroom units for seniors earning up to 60 percent of area median income. The GRHC will have an ownership interest in the planned development and will provide Project-Based Voucher rental subsidies to 23 units as a vested partner. Vision, 1201 Division Avenue South – Tax Credit Award: $1,647,490 A planned project of Pivotal Development LLC, this 50-unit development will serve seniors with a household income between 50 percent and 80 percent of area median income. The GRHC will have an ownership interest in this property and will provide Project-Based Voucher rental subsidies in support of 40 units. |
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Health and Unity in the Community Resource and Family Fun Fair Highlights |
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Many thanks to all who joined us for our late-June Health & Unity in the Community Resource and Family Fun Fair at Campau Park! This fun family event featured health care and community resource information, plus music, free food, prizes, children’s activities and more.
Special thanks to our Resource Fair sponsors and donors, and to all of the organizations who staffed resource tables: |
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Event Sponsors and Donors |
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Avanti Insurance Solutions Bimbo Bakeries USA City of Grand Rapids Humana |
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| MC Entertainment Michigan State University Extension Sobie Meats Xfinity |
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Aetna Alzheimer’s Association Area Agency on Aging of
Western Michigan Avanti Insurance Catherine’s Health Center Consumers Energy Corewell Health Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Services Disability Advocates Family Outreach Center Feeding America West
Michigan Grand Rapids Police Department |
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| Grand Rapids Public Library Mobile Library Grand Rapids Red Project Great Clips Head Start for Kent County Healthy Homes Coalition
of West Michigan Humana Humane Society of West
Michigan Kent County Health Dept. Kent County Veterans
Services League of Women Voters |
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| Meridian Michigan First Credit
Union Molina Healthcare National Kidney Foundation Oak Street Health Opportunity Resource Fund Project GREEN Relaxation Station Mobile
Wellness Spa Reliance Community Care
Partners |
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2026 Jean McKee Resident Academic Scholarship Award Winners Announced |
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Congratulations to our Jean McKee Resident Scholarship Program academic scholarship winners for the 2026-2027 academic year: Triniti Smith is a recent graduate of Northview High School. Triniti is attending the James Madison College Program at Michigan State University, with a major in Social Relations and Policy. Tala Gates Johnson is a recent graduate of Grand River Preparatory High School. Tala is attending Howard University, with a major in Finance and Interdisciplinary Studies (Neuroscience). |
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2026 Jean McKee Resident Summer Camp Scholarships
During summer 2026 the GRHC’s Jean McKee Resident Summer Camp Scholarship Program awarded scholarships to 11 young campers who enjoyed day or overnight camping experiences at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin on beautiful Barlow Lake. |
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GRHC Community Impact Report Is Now Online! |
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The 2025-2026 GRHC Community Impact Report celebrates our 60 years of service and highlights accomplishment past and present. The report also offers details of innovative partnerships and initiatives that will help us to better serve our community moving forward. |
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MSU College of Human Medicine Teddy Bear Health Fair |
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The GRHC and many other community organizations are co-sponsoring…
Teddy Bear Health Fair
Saturday, October 10, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.MLK Park Community Center900 Fuller Ave SE
In addition to health resources for families with children, this event also offers a first come, first served Flu Vaccine Clinic for all ages provided by Alana’s Foundation (on-line signed consent form required).
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Adult Education Fair at Home Repair Services |
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The GRHC is partnering with Wyoming Housing Commission and Home Repair Services to host… 4th Annual Back-to-School Adult Education Resource EventWednesday, October 14, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.Home Repair Services1100 Division Avenue South in Grand Rapids
This event offers information about the adult education opportunities provided by local educational institutions, including… Davenport University Grand Rapids Community College Grand Valley State University Michigan State University Extension
Information about financial aid, scholarships and education-related supportive services will also be available. Questions? Please call (616) 534-5471, extension 22. |
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Grand Rapids EnVision Center Fall Event Shedule |
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The Grand Rapids EnVision Center will host a variety of helpful financial management and career development workshops this fall—see schedule below. The EnVision Center is located within the Campau Commons Community Center at 821 Division Avenue South. All events are FREE and open to the public.
September 22, 10:00 a.m.: Paying Off Debt for Homeownership
Workshop provided by Huntington Bank October 8, 5:30 p.m.: Fraud 101: Secure Your Personal Information
Workshop provided by Lake Michigan Credit Union October 27, 5:30 p.m.: High School & GED Completion
Presented by Sparta Education November 12, 5:30 p.m.: Making Cents Make Sense
Workshop provided by Mercantile Bank December 15, 5:30 p.m.: Credit and Budgeting Workshop provided by Huntington Bank
For more information or to register, please contact fss@grhousing.org |
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NOBL Brings Cool Summer Fun to Creston Plaza |
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Many thanks to Neighbors of Belknap Lookout (NOBL) Executive Director Tiffany Young and her crew for bringing a mid-July “Sweet Treats to Beat the Heat” event to the Bobbie Butler Community Center at Creston Plaza Apartments. Offered in conjunction with the GRPS “Meet Up & Eat Up” Summer Meal Program, the event treated our young residents to free ice cream and snacks, bubble wands and games, plus a raffle that offered cool supplies for back to school! |
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Last 2026 HCV Homeownership Program Orientation Meeting Is December 8 |
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The GRHC will host our final Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Homeownership Program Orientation Meeting of the year on…
Tuesday, December 8, 2:00 p.m. Wyoming Public Library 3350 Michael Avenue SW in Wyoming
The program empowers current GRHC HCV Program participants to use their rental subsidy toward home mortgage payments. Registration for the December 8 meeting will open in early October. |
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| *|TAGGED:Landlord|* | Landlord ForumSeptember 2410:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Bobbie Butler Community Center at Creston Plaza1080 Creston Plaza Drive NE
Featuring a look at the recently published 2027 HUD Fair Market Rents (FMRs) and a planned GRHC FMR appeal that aims to bring $1.7 million in additional HUD rental subsidy funding to our community, plus… Highlights of the recently enacted 21st Century Road to Housing Act, including Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program reforms designed to expand landlord participation in the program HCV Program Operations Update Landlord Help Table to offer one-on-one assistance with questions and individual landlord concerns
FREE and open to all rental property owners and managers
Please RSVP to olivia.hunt@grhousing.org |
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| *|TAGGED:Landlord|* | City Offers Lead Hazard Control Assistance |
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| *|TAGGED:Landlord|* | The City of Grand Rapids offers rental property owners up to $20,000 in assistance to remove lead hazards from residential units. Eligible rental housing must be: Located in the City of Grand Rapids Built before 1978 One- to four-unit property Vacant rental units may also qualify
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GRHC Human Resources Update |
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José Capeles, from Acting Director of Asset Management to Senior Director of Operations Mike Heller, from Maintenance Technician to Maintenance Supervisor Lori Lopez, from HCV Customer Service & Intake Specialist to HCV Coordinator Michelle MacNall, from HCV Coordinator to HCV Manager Renita Thomas, from HCV Customer Service & Intake Specialist to FSS Coordinator |
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Essence Trimble, from Property Manager to Director of Property Management |
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Nikila Edwards, Office Assistant for Adams Park Apartments Cassandra Miles, Office Assistant for Leonard Terrace Apartments Daniel Mugigi, HCV Coordinator at the GRHC Administrative Office |
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