November 16, 2023
‘We are transforming lives.’ Group houses 13 people following downtown homelessness concerns
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Thirteen homeless people living near Monroe Center in downtown Grand Rapids have been placed in permanent housing by Community Rebuilders, a nonprofit hired to reduce the number of unhoused residents congregating along downtown’s main retail corridor.
“Often you hear that people who are living on the street don’t want housing, they don’t want to think about leaving the streets,” said Vera Beech, the nonprofit’s executive director. “That’s just now what our data is proving.”
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July 20, 2023
Finding a home for the unhoused: Community Rebuilders on addressing the GR homelessness issue
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — It was June 13 when the Grand Rapids City Commission approved a $500,000 agreement with Community Rebuilders for their Geotargeted Housing Outreach Program.
The nonprofit, which has operated for more than 20 years, works alongside those experiencing homelessness where the goal is simple:
“Let’s get you off the street today, and then let’s start working on a housing plan,” the organization’s executive director Vera Beech explained.
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June 15, 2023
Rapid rehousing plan for downtown homeless population approved by Grand Rapids board
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Amid heightened concerns about homelessness, the Grand Rapids City Commission has approved $500,000 to provide temporary housing for 44 unhoused residents who congregate downtown on Monroe Center — the area’s main retail corridor — and Louis Campau Promenade.
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June 14, 2023
Geotargeted program works to end chronic homelessness
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Nine years ago, Shannon Bass called North Camp, a collection of ramshackle shanties along some railroad tracks on Grand Rapids’ West Side, her home.
“I was homeless here in Grand Rapids from 2005 to 2014,” Bass said.
But since 2014, she has lived in her own apartment on the same side of town.
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March 14, 2023
$8.5M Grand Rapids spending plan calls for affordable housing, neighborhood investments
GRAND RAPIDS — City officials have released a plan for spending $8.5 million in federal funding primarily on repairing or building hundreds of affordable housing units and creating homeownership opportunities.
The Grand Rapids City Commission’s Committee of the Whole on Tuesday discussed funding recommendations and priorities that support the city’s annual Neighborhood Investment Plan and align with Grand Rapids’ strategy for spending federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The funding comes from various federal agencies.
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March 14, 2023
$8.5M Grand Rapids spending plan calls for affordable housing, neighborhood investments
GRAND RAPIDS — City officials have released a plan for spending $8.5 million in federal funding primarily on repairing or building hundreds of affordable housing units and creating homeownership opportunities.
The Grand Rapids City Commission’s Committee of the Whole on Tuesday discussed funding recommendations and priorities that support the city’s annual Neighborhood Investment Plan and align with Grand Rapids’ strategy for spending federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The funding comes from various federal agencies.
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March 14, 2023
West Michigan city looks to make home repairs more affordable
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Paying for home repairs could be easier if you live in this West Michigan city
The city of Grand Rapids announced on Tuesday how they plan to spend $8.5 million in Home American Rescue Plan funding.
Senior Managing Director Of Community Services Connie Bohatch told city commissioners they saw a significant need in the community that people want to improve their homes.
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October 26, 2021
Kent County Veterans Services teams up with Community Rebuilders for veteran program
Kent County Veterans Services provides a wide range of services and opportunities for the veterans in our community. They also have a bunch of great events coming up this fall!
Rachel from Kent County Veterans Services, our Veterans Expert joins us along with Vicki from Community Rebuilders to tell us what they have coming up, including their joint program!
WATCH THE VIDEO . . .
July 23, 2021
Study finds housing-first model improves overall well-being
A nonprofit that provides permanent supportive housing for low-income, physically or mentally disabled, and long-term homeless families in Kent County published a study that shows its programs are improving consumer well-being over time.
Grand Rapids-based Community Rebuilders engaged Public Sector Consultants to conduct a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Evaluation Report, prepared this spring, that evaluated a sample size of 47 households in Kent County that have been served by Community Rebuilders’ PSH programs.
January 27, 2021
Grand Rapids wins $150,000 to advance housing affordability
In recognition of its partnership with Community Rebuilders, the city will receive $150,000 to support Community Rebuilder’s innovative G.R.A.C.E. Smart Homes project. In partnership with LINC UP, Community Rebuilders will use the funds to develop affordable housing that intentionally addresses the link between housing and health through the creation of “service smart” rental housing.
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January 25, 2021
City of Grand Rapids gets $150k grant to help with affordable housing
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The City of Grand Rapids has received a $150,000 grant to help bring more affordable housing to the community, according to a news release Monday.
Grand Rapids was one of eight recipients of the 2021 CommunityWINS grant program, which recognizes mayoral-based initiatives that assist their city in reducing the cost burden of housing and increase access to safe, affordable places to live.
The grant in GR will support Community Rebuilder’s G.R.A.C.E. Smart Homes project.
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January 25, 2021
City wins $150,000 award to advance housing affordability solutions
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids is one of eight recipients of the 2021 CommunityWINS® grant program, a joint effort by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Wells Fargo to advance housing affordability solutions in local communities. The awards recognize outstanding mayoral-based initiatives that assist their city in reducing the cost burden of housing and increase access to safe, affordable places to live.
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December 29, 2020
Group helps those experiencing homelessness find affordable housing
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — As finding affordable housing continues to be a struggle for many across our country, a group in West Michigan has found the solution for some people who live here.
“Housing is really essential to the health and well-being of individuals and our community as a whole,” said Vera Beech, the executive director of Community Rebuilders.
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December 28, 2020
Community Rebuilders helps 36 Grand Rapidians find homes
A nonprofit working to end homelessness has put 36 individuals on the path to long-term housing with 24 of those already housed temporarily.
Grand Rapids-based Community Rebuilders said last week that many people without housing staying in the Rosa Parks Circle and Monroe Center area have a promising new year ahead, thanks to the Community Rebuilders Geographically Targeted Housing Outreach initiative (GTHO), which the Business Journal reported on in October.
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December 22, 2020
Community Rebuilders Helps 36 Grand Rapids Residents Find Homes for the Holidays
Many staying in the Rosa Parks Circle and Monroe Center area have a promising new year ahead thanks to the Community Rebuilders Geographically Targeted Housing Outreach initiative (GTHO).
Of 48 people identified through GTHO, 36 have service plans underway and are working with Community Rebuilders to secure long-term homes. Two dozen have already moved into temporary housing where their basic needs can be met—with more to move in the coming weeks
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November 8, 2020
New targeted program aims to address homelessness in downtown Grand Rapids
A nonprofit housing advocacy organization has launched a new program aimed at reducing the number of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, targeting a high-traffic area in downtown Grand Rapids.
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November 1, 2020
Community Rebuilders roll out a new plan targeting homelessness by geographical location
Community Rebuilders has been serving the Grand Rapids community for over 25 years, but this late fall they got some additional funding to try out a new approach.
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October 30, 2020
Community Rebuilders launches housing outreach program
A nonprofit working to end homelessness connected eight people with housing in the first week of a new outreach program intending to house a total of 60 individuals within the next two months.
Grand Rapids-based Community Rebuilders said Tuesday its new program, Geographically Targeted Housing Outreach (GTHO), aims to help 30 youth and 30 adults find safe, affordable, permanent places to call home by the end of December.
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October 27, 2020
Community Rebuilders Helps Eight People Go from Homeless to Housed in One Week
A new program, Geographically Targeted Housing Outreach (GTHO), aims to help 30 youth and 30 adults find safe, affordable, permanent places to call home by the end of December. Focusing on those staying in Rosa Parks Circle or Monroe Center, Community Rebuilders connected eight people with housing resources in the program’s first seven days – three moved immediately into housing.
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January 8, 2020
Community Rebuilders Partners with Signify Health to Address the Social Determinants of Health that Impact Family Homelessness
Newly launched Gather Resources & Align Community Effort (G.R.A.C.E ) Network aims to improve outcomes for families struggling with homelessness by connecting more than a dozen social service agencies in Grand Rapids, Mich.
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