“That’s how fast it happens to people. People can be in such a good situation and then overnight things happen and you end up in such a dire situation.”
That’s where Dan and Diana Minaker found themselves a few months ago when their landlord gave them 90 days to leave the home they’d rented for 28 years.
He’s retired; she’s on disability.
They had no savings and nowhere to go.
“I didn’t do anything wrong; I just didn’t do a lot of things right. I didn’t properly retire; I just couldn’t work anymore.”
After weeks of desperate searching, they got the very last apartment available at Eastpointe Commons, the new affordable housing community on Fulton Street NE in Grand Rapids for people with limited incomes and diverse needs.
Enrollment opened in November, Eastpointe Commons is now at 100% occupancy and has a waiting list, an illustration of the critical need for affordable housing in West Michigan.
“I don’t think I’d survive very long in any situation without a roof over my head. Not only do I have a heart issue, I’m a diabetic.”
Dan is an example of data shared by Hope Network that shows the vital link between affordable housing and long-term health.
People with housing issues experience 40% fewer wellness visits for preventative care, 150% more emergency department visits, and 160% more acute inpatient admissions.
Eastpointe Commons has been a lifesaver, say the Minakers, close to bus lines, within walking distance of a grocery store, offering on-site services and resources.
“Just a weight off my chest and for somebody with a bad heart, that’s a good idea.”
