A Grant Rapids non-profit has opened new housing units for low-income residence. Genesis Non-Profit Housing Corporation has opened some low-income housing in Grand Rapids’ West Side.
A once-vacant Catholic school now has thirty-six apartments, and solar panels to power them. The fifty-two units will go to people who make thirty to sixty percent of of Kent County’s area median income.
John Wynbeek is Genesis’ Executive Director. He says working people can't afford the rising rent in Grand Rapids, which increases the need for affordable housing. He says, "We're just wanting to provide quality housing for people in our community, who are working in our neighborhoods, in some of the restaurants and amenities the we have downtown, and be able to afford to live where they work."
The former school and some of the townhouses have solar panels. Wynbeek says this is a smart investment and helps the environment.
Wynkeek says the " This project is funded primarily by 12.2 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity. Tax credit equity allows us to build quality developments and still keep the rents affordable."
Genesis received more than six-hundred applications for the low income units. Wynbeek expects the remaining units to be filled this coming week.
