Community Development

Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)

Kent County receives federal funding from HUD's Community Development Block Grant Program to provide programing and improvements that benefit households and individuals with low to moderate incomes. (Household income of less than 80% of the Area Median Income). Through its Community Development programs, Kent County provides direct assistance to residents through its Home Rehabilitation Assistance Programs and Public Service Programs. In addition, community benefits are provided through public projects in partnership with the municipal governments located within Kent County. These public projects all have geographical focus to serve areas within Kent County, but outside of the cites of Grand Rapids and Wyoming. (These two cities each receive HUD funding directly and operates their own CDBG programs.)

Annually, Kent County seeks proposals from its municipal partners for projects that address the goals identified the Five Year Kent County Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan. The primary focus of these projects is to provide a benefit to areas with a higher concentration of households with low to moderate incomes. Projects proposed by municipal partners may also include activities that provide a direct benefit to individuals with or presumed to have low to moderate incomes.

Eligible CDBG activities include projects such as improvements to parks and recreational facilities, street or sidewalks, tree planting, childcare facilities, youth or senior centers, water/sewer improvements, neighborhood facilities, and much more.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program

Through a partnership between Kent County and the City of Wyoming, the Kent HOME Consortium receives federal funding from HUD’s HOME investment Partnership Program to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for households with low to moderate incomes. This program works with non-profit developers and service providers with a geographical focus throughout Kent County, but outside of the City of Grand Rapids. (The City of Grand Rapids receives HUD funding directly and operates its own HOME program.)

The Kent HOME Consortium partners provide new homeownership opportunities through the construction of new properties and the rehabilitation of existing homes. These properties are then sold to households with incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Kent HOME Consortium projects also include the development of rental housing or tenant based rental assistance for household earning less than 60% AMI.

To see if you qualify, find homes for sale, or learn more about Kent HOME Consortium projects visit our partner websites below.

• Community Rebuilders - Project funding to provide a Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program for income eligible households.
• ICCF Nonprofit Housing Corporation - Project funding provided to construct and rehabilitate single family homes to be sold to income eligible households.
• LINC Up Nonprofit Housing Corporation - Project funding provided to construct single family homes to be sold to income eligible households.
• Salvation Army Social Services - Project funding to provide a Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program for income eligible households.

Housing Rehabilitation Assistance Programs

Kent County's Home Rehabilitation Assistance Programs help homeowners with low and moderate income maintain or improve the structural condition and safety of homes. The Program is funded with Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These programs are for owner occupied properties only.

Minor Repairs and Accessibility Modifications (up to est. $10,000)

This program is provided through community partner Home Repair Services of Kent County to address minor home repairs and accessibility modifications. Home Repair Services works directly with homeowner to evaluate eligibility, determine repair needs, and complete repairs or accessibility modification to the home. Funding for these projects are provided as grants and may include an income based homeowner co-payment.

Eligible work includes minor or urgent repairs that are necessary to prevent ongoing property damage, address health and safety issues, or code violations. Work can also include accessibility modifications to the interior or exterior of the home for individuals living with disabilities. To apply for this program, click here to visit Home Repair Services website.

Moderate Repairs (more than est. $10,000)

This program is provided directly by Kent County to address larger repair needs or when multiple repairs are needed at a home. An online application is used to determine income eligibility for the program. Once eligibility is confirmed, a Kent County Rehabilitation Specialist will be scheduled to inspect the home and work with the homeowner to determine the focus of repairs to be made. The County uses a competitive bidding process to identify a contractor(s) to complete the work. Funding for the project is provided in the form of an 0% interest payment free mortgage loan, with a portion of the loan forgiven monthly while the homeowner continues to live in the home. If the homeowner moves or sells the property, only the remaining reduced balance is due.

This program does not address urgent repairs, because the scheduling of repairs often takes several months to prepare for and complete. Eligible work includes the correction of code violations, accessibility improvements, hazard abatement, roofing, necessary plumbing and heating improvements, electrical repairs, energy efficiency improvements, etc. Use the link below to apply for this program.

Contractors interested in learning more about the Kent County's Home Repair Programs and bidding on projects should visit the Kent County Purchasing Department website and begin the registration process, go to Vender Registration.

If you have questions or need assistance with the application please contact Community Development at 616-632-7950 or email community.development@kentcountymi.gov.

Public Service Programs (CDBG)

A portion of the HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding received by Kent County is used to provide Public Services and administrative support to local non-profit organizations. Below are links to our community partners receiving CDBG funding.

• Fair Housing Center of West Michigan - Program to provide enforcement and education to property owners and residents of the Fair Housing Act.
• Hope Network - Program to provide seniors and people with disabilities door-to-door transportation services.
• Legal Aid of West Michigan - Program to provide legal advice and representation for residents to address housing problems.