Housing Kent

09/18/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Housing Stability Alliance convening this past week!

We dug into new data on the current state of housing, including the affordability of homes for sale and rent, and explored how these numbers continue to fluctuate and impact our Kent County neighbors. From housing maintenance to the next generation of homeowners, we discussed the challenges facing our community and learned about new initiatives in our community to address housing disparities.

Stay tuned for more on what we learned and where we’re headed next!

09/03/2026

A typical Housing Stability Alliance (HSA) convening looks like this, and we want to see you there on September 11th!

We’ll explore what housing cost burden really means for Kent County, from delaying homeownership and putting off critical repairs to the growing challenges facing the next generation of homeowners.

Join us to hear from local experts, explore innovative solutions, and learn how the HSA is working to strengthen housing stability across our community.

Register by Wednesday, September 9th to be part of the conversation: https://housingkent.org/housing-kent-events/

08/18/2026

Did you know it’s ?

As students and families prepare for a new school year, we’re reflecting on the connection between housing stability and student success.

In a recent study examining student absenteeism and eviction filings in Grand Rapids, we found that eviction filing rates explained roughly 33% of the variation in student absenteeism across neighborhood block groups. In other words, neighborhoods with higher eviction activity also tended to have higher rates of students missing school.

Stable housing can play an important role in a student’s ability to attend school consistently and feel ready to learn. As the new school year begins, free resources across Kent County and neighboring communities can help families navigate challenges, find support, and stay on track.

Housing stability is an important part of helping students—and families—thrive.

Most West Michigan students are returning to school in August and there are drives and giveaways scheduled to help families prepare.

08/13/2026

Meet the people behind Housing Kent!

Have you had a chance to check out our updated Team & Board page? We recently came together for new team photos to celebrate this chapter of Housing Kent and highlight the people behind the work.

We’re working alongside so many incredible community partners on projects that support our Kent County neighbors, and we want to share the people, partnerships, and energy driving that work forward.

Take a peek at our new look—and be sure to check out our amazing board, too: https://bit.ly/3DKhJZd

08/12/2026

Excited to see new affordable housing options coming to downtown Grand Rapids!
The historic Ledyard Block is being transformed to include one- and two-bedroom apartments, with 20% of the new units designated as affordable housing. Rents for the affordable units will start at just over $1,000 per month, creating more opportunities for people to live in the heart of downtown.

Expanding access to quality, affordable housing is an important part of building a thriving Kent County where everyone has the opportunity to find a place to call home.

Learn more about the project by reading the full article below!

A $12.3 million office-to-residential project is getting underway in downtown Grand Rapids.

07/30/2026

Housing affordability has become a business challenge as much as a housing challenge. As housing costs continue to outpace household incomes, more workers are struggling to afford stable housing—creating ripple effects for employers through recruitment, retention, productivity, and employee well-being.

Through the Housing Stability Alliance's Employer Housing Programs Pilot, we're working with employers to explore solutions that support both their workforce and our community. After all, a strong workforce depends on stable housing, and a strong economy depends on both.

Sixty percent of employers report that employee financial stress negatively impacts focus and performance, making housing affordability an issue businesses can no longer afford to ignore.

Learn more about the relationship between wages, household income, and housing affordability by exploring our Housing Dashboard: https://bit.ly/4gTQP06

07/28/2026

Did you know many full-time working mothers spend well over the recommended 30% of their income on housing? Simultaneously, two Kent County school districts rank among the top 10 in Michigan for the number of students experiencing homelessness.

Housing affects more than where people live, it impacts education, family stability, and economic opportunity.

Learn more by checking out our recent media coverage, and connect with us to find out more about how we're connecting data to housing solutions across Kent County.

07/24/2026

Housing Kent is looking for an Administrative Coordinator to help keep our team running smoothly while supporting our mission to increase access to affordable housing.

Are you organized, relationship-focused, and thrive in a collaborative environment? We'd love to hear from you! This full-time, hybrid position offers flexibility, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make an incredible impact alongside our partners working toward systems change.

Applications are due by August 1, 2026, at 11:00 p.m.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with "Administrative Coordinator" in the subject line.

Learn more and view the full job description today: https://housingkent.org/careers/

07/23/2026

Addressing Kent County's housing challenges takes more than one organization—it takes a connected community.

That's why the Housing Stability Alliance (HSA) brings together cross-sector partners to explore housing data, engage with policymakers, and strengthen the relationships that drive meaningful systems change.
Together, we're advancing equitable housing solutions and creating lasting impact across Kent County.

Our September 11th HSA convening is coming up! Subscribe to our newsletter for registration details: https://housingkent.org/contact-us/

07/21/2026

Meet our newest board members! We are excited to welcome Salvador Lopez from KConnect and Gary Heidel from Public Policy Associates to the Housing Kent Board of Directors. Their expertise in policy, systems change, and community collaboration will help strengthen our work to advance housing stability across Kent County.

As the governing body of Housing Kent, our board provides strategic leadership, champions our mission, and helps build the partnerships needed to create lasting systems change. We look forward to the perspective, experience, and commitment Salvador and Gary will bring as we continue working toward a community where everyone has access to safe, quality, and affordable housing.

Please join us in welcoming Salvador and Gary to the Housing Kent team!