In 2019, the eight Housing Next partners worked diligently to make large-scale decisions and distribute vital funds as they implement solutions to the local affordable housing challenge. Their goal this year was to create the framework for our community to attract developers, add to the rental housing inventory, and work successfully with local government entities. While progress takes time, good work is happening!
Prompted by a request from the Housing Next leadership council and through the initiative of the Ottawa County Administrator, the Ottawa County Housing Commission was re-established with unanimous support from the Board of Commissioners. This was a critical step for the future of regional housing solutions, as the Commission’s responsibilities will include the integration of data across all municipalities pertaining to housing, development, and local policy-making to support more housing at all price points. The partnership between Housing Next and the County Housing Commission will involve further clarification of Ottawa County’s housing needs; provision of support resources to cities, villages, and townships; and the facilitation of funding opportunities and partnerships to ensure housing is affordable to our regional workforce.
A three-year grant to Good Samaritan Ministries allowed the organization to launch GSM Properties. GSM offers professional property management services to landlords, while also keeping a client-centered approach to make sure tenants are equipped with the resources they need to thrive and stay accountable. Working in the best interests of both the property owner and the tenant increases the stock of affordable housing and reduces turnover; a natural alignment with Good Samaritan’s mission to end poverty and homelessness. To date, GSM Properties has 46 housing units in its portfolio, works with a diverse group of both tenants and landlords, and has exceeded predictions for growth.
CFHZ doubled down on its commitment to solving the affordable housing challenge by collaborating with local investors to facilitate the establishment of the Holland/Zeeland Housing Pre-Development Fund. This fund will complement other efforts by offsetting some of the pre-development costs typically incurred by developers such as acquiring land, working through the first steps of the development design process, and taking first steps with local municipalities. Land acquisitions made by the fund will be specifically targeted to strategic pieces of property that are prime for larger-scale rental or home developments.
The milestones reached over the past year — re-establishing the Housing Commission, funding GSM Properties, and facilitating the Pre-Development Fund — are crucial steps for Ottawa County. While it is important to pause and recognize just how far we have come in only a few years, we are not stopping here. As a new decade begins, we look ahead to future challenges with an understanding that collaboration and innovation are the keys to making our community a welcoming, affordable place for all people.
Originally featured in CFHZ’s 2019 Annual Report.