Together West Michigan is a community organizing effort comprising 18 mostly religious institutions in Kent County focused on issues like childcare, public safety, and housing. The group held a press conference before speaking to the Grand Rapids City Commission Tuesday.
“Together West Michigan does not oppose private development. What we do oppose is the unacceptably small affordable housing contribution being proposed.”
Fulmer Property Holdings is asking for $565 million in tax revenue to reimburse 71% of the cost of the project through the Transformational Brownfield Program. It would pay $8.5 million into the city’s affordable housing fund over 20 years, or approximately $425,000 per year. Together West Michigan says it wants more for the city.
“An investment equivalent to 20% of the requested $565 million for the Transformational Brownfield Project reimbursement made by the project investors to the Grand Rapids Affordable Housing Fund, no strings attached.”
The group says with the city’s current housing shortage, more needs to be done to ensure people of all income brackets have affordable housing options.
You can read more about the group’s proposals HERE.
