Grand Rapids Housing Commission

10/27/2026

The GRHC has been awarded a 2026 NAHRO Community Innovation Award in recognition of the Resident Rent Reporting for Credit Building initiative we launched in 2025 in partnership with Project GREEN (Grassroots Economic Empowerment Network); a $3,000 grant awarded to Project GREEN is giving GRHC affordable housing program participants two years of free access to the online credit building platform Piñata. The Piñata app helps renters establish, build or repair their credit scores by reporting monthly on-time rent payments to the three major credit bureaus. The goal is to financially empower residents by helping them build the credit that’s essential for approval and favorable terms for loans, leases and credit cards. This initiative also provides financial literacy workshops to participants.

As of March 1, 2026, 95 GRHC residents were participating in the Resident Rent Reporting for Credit Building Program. Piñata reported that during the prior six months, a cohort of GRHC participants with poor credit had their credit scores increase an average of 73.3 points, from an average score of 507 to an average score of 580.33.

GRHC management accepted the award during the recent National NAHRO Fall Conference in Denver. NAHRO is the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials, an organization that represents more than 26,000 housing and community development providers and professionals nationwide.

10/26/2026

GRHC community partner Feeding America West Michigan is currently spotlighting Kelly Malone, one of our amazing Adams Park Apartments Food Pantry volunteers.

Read about Kelly's volunteer work at Adams Park here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18i4KsAjFC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Today, we honor Kelly Malone, a member of Boston Square Church and volunteer at Adams Park Pantry, who works tirelessly to serve the residents of Adams Park Apartments. Kelly stepped up in 2019 when she heard the pantry needed help. For six years, Kelly has brightened the lives of Adams Park Pantry goers by ensuring the pantry's smooth operations. She secures a variety of much-needed and appreciated items for attendees, and she bringing joy and compassion to the work.

Kelly's friends and peers at the Grand Rapids Housing Commission and Boston Square Church, reached out to us because of their desire to celebrate her dedication to Adams Park.

"Kelly will often say, 'This is a fun retirement job for me,'" said Eric Turkaleski, resident services specialist at the GR Housing Commission which serves as proprietor of Adams Park Apartments. "She does an amazing job with the pantry at Adams Park. She makes at least two trips to the food bank monthly to ensure residents have a variety of different options to choose from. She takes time to invest in the lives of the residents when they come in. After a mass food distribution, Kelly will come in on a Saturday and organize and stock. ... Every Christmas, she will get calendars or little seasonal items and wrap them up for residents. Her selfless, servant-minded approach has brought others to participate and give back to the people of Adams Park. Adams Park is truly blessed because of the love, care, and attention to detail that she brings."

Thank you for everything you do, Kelly!

10/22/2026

This week GRHC Executive Director Lindsey Reames and representatives from other local Downtown Pathways Project partners joined homelessness prevention advocates from across the country for “Built for Zero Learning Session 2026” in Seattle. The annual event is designed as an information sharing opportunity, with the goal of helping communities develop the strategies and systems required to make incidents of homelessness rare and brief.

Learn more about how the Downtown Pathways Project is working to address homelessness in Kent County and find out how you can help: https://www.pathwaysgr.org

10/20/2026

In partnership with the Kent County Youth Action Board (YAB) and Youth Solutions Council, the Kent Homelessness Coalition is selling green “365, We Exist” t-shirts designed by the YAB to raise awareness of youth homelessness. The message highlights the 365 youth experiencing homelessness in our community and serves as a reminder that these young people are seen, valued and deserving of support.

Community members are encouraged to wear their t-shirts on November 13 for "Wear Green Day" in recognition of Youth Hope Month.

T-shirts are available for a minimum $25 donation and all proceeds will directly support the Youth Action Board’s efforts.

Complete information and link to t-shirt order form:

Community Partners, In partnership with the Kent County Youth Action Board (YAB) and Youth Solutions Council, we are selling green “365, We Exist.” t-shirts designed by YAB to raise awareness of youth homelessness in Kent County. The message highlights the 365 youth experiencing homelessness in ...

10/15/2026

Rapid Growth Media is currently featuring an article about GRHC programs and services that help families attain housing stability and paths to greater economic opportunity.

Read the article here:

The Grand Rapids Housing Commission helps families build stable lives through affordable housing, support services, and community partnerships.

10/13/2026

The GRHC is partnering with Wyoming Housing Commission and Home Repair Services to host…

4th Annual
BACK-TO-SCHOOL ADULT EDUCATION RESOURCE FAIR
Wednesday, October 14, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Home Repair Services
1100 Division Avenue South in Grand Rapids

This event offers information about the adult education opportunities provided by local educational institutions, including…
Davenport University
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Valley State University
Michigan State University Extension
Information about financial aid, scholarships and education-related supportive services will also be available.

Questions? Please call (616) 534-5471, extension 22.

10/09/2026

Are you an Ottawa County landlord? From 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. on November 5, join a coalition of housing-focused organizations and Ottawa County for a first-of-its-kind discussion on providing more lower-income rental opportunities for residents.

Register now at bit.ly/4jLh8sL

10/01/2026

09/29/2026

Adams Park Apartments residents enjoyed an on-site Health and Resource Fair last week that featured a wealth of information about health care and community services as well as free healthy snacks and free massages provided by the Relaxation Station Mobile Wellness Spa.

Many thanks to Great Clips, Corewell Health and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services for donating raffle prizes, and to all who provided information and service tables:
Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan
Catherine’s Health Center
Corewell Health
Grand Rapids Emergency Communications Center
Grand Rapids Police Department
Grand Rapids Red Project
Kent County Health Department
League of Women Voters
Michigan Secretary of State
Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
Relaxation Station Mobile Wellness Spa
WellCare

09/23/2026

The GRHC will be featured in an upcoming educational video produced by the award-winning television program “All Access with Andy Garcia.” The All Access crew visited Creston Plaza today to tape a special segment highlighting steps the Housing Commission is taking to expand housing opportunity and promote stability for low-income families navigating our community’s competitive rental housing marketplace. The segment will be distributed to public television stations nationwide—air date information coming soon!