“Our hope with this development is to be able to allow our seniors within the neighborhood to age in place with dignity, to be able to stay within the communities in which they have lived for many, many years.”
LaKiya Jenkins is Executive Director of LINC UP, the Grand Rapids’-based housing nonprofit that helped bring the project to fruition along with over a dozen state and local agencies and families.
The $18 million, four-story development features 54 one-bedroom assisted living units for seniors ages 55 and older. All units are affordable to households earning 60% of area median income, with 12 units available for seniors experiencing homelessness. Twenty-five units cap rent at one-third of residents’ income.
“Getting affordable, quality housing is a priority for LINC UP, and so it was important as we continue to expand our portfolio and continue to add affordable housing to the community that we focused on, again, our seniors.”
Grand Rapids has one of the highest concentrations of retirement communities in the Midwest, with waitlists for affordable senior assisted living stretching up to five years and average rates easily costing between $4,000 to $5,500 per month.
“This is really fulfilling a great need just given the growth and the changes happening at our city.”
MoTown Square is currently at 60% occupancy.
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