Where can I get help with home maintenance and/or repair?
City of Grand Rapids Community Development Department
Housing Rehabilitation Office
300 Monroe Avenue NW, Suite 440
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 456-3030
Housing Rehabilitation Program
The Housing Rehabilitation Program provides low-interest loans for
home repairs that address health/safety concerns, code violations, the treatment of lead-based paint hazards, and other repairs to qualifying low- and moderate-income occupant owners of one- and two-family homes located within CDBG Specific Target Areas. Emergency repair assistance is limited to the General Target Area.
Home Repair Services of Kent County
1100 South Division Avenue
Grand Rapids MI 49507
(616) 241-2601
Home Repair Services helps lower-income homeowners throughout Kent County with the maintenance and repair of their homes. For further information and to determine if you are eligible for assistance, call 241-2601. Following is a brief description of the programs offered by Home Repair Services:
Tool Library
Lends tools without charge to low-income homeowners to support residents in making their own home repairs and improvements.
Fix-it School
Training classes are available on a variety of home repair topics. Courses on such topics as plumbing, basic electrical, roofing, landscaping, and drywall are offered.
Builders' Abundance
Provides building materials at low cost to low-income homeowners and to non-profit agencies to repair and improve existing housing for low-income residents.
Minor Home Repair
Provides minor emergency home repairs and home security improvements for low-income homeowners.
Access Modifications Program
Builds wheelchair ramps and makes other modifications to improve the accessibility of homes occupied by persons with disabilities.
Area Community Services Employment and Training Council (ACSET)
Energy Services Department
West Side Complex
215 Straight Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 336-4024
Paint Spree Program
Provides exterior house painting for senior and handicapped homeowners living in the Community Development General Target Area.
Senior Millage Exterior Paint Program
Provides exterior house painting for senior homeowners living within Kent County, but outside of the Community Development General Target Area.
Weatherization Program
Provides energy conservation measures installed by licensed private contractors. Measures can include attic insulation, wall insulation, weather stripping of doors and windows, furnace testing and furnace replacement. This is a free service to homeowners and renters in Kent County with income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guideline.
Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)
Property Improvement Program
The Property Improvement Program offers low-interest loans for home improvements. Loans are also available for repairs to rental properties. For information and to apply, contact either the City of Grand Rapids Housing Rehabilitation Office at 456-3030 or Garfield Development Corporation at 248-3235 or Lighthouse Communities, Inc. at 451-9140.
Senior Neighbors, Inc.
820 Monroe Avenue NW, Suite 460
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 459-6019
Senior Neighbors, Inc. provides services that enable adults, age 60 and over, to maintain their maximum level of independence in their home. The agency offers a variety of services including the following housing assistance:
- Housing Information and Counseling
- Home Chore Services (assistance with basic home maintenance/repair, yard work, snow removal, etc.)
- Shelter Advisor Program
Disability Advocates of Kent County
3600 Camelot Drive SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 949-1100
Disability Advocates of Kent County provides a wide variety of services and support to individuals with disabilities who are searching for affordable and accessible housing in addition to assisting individuals in making new or existing homes accessible.
Housing and Universal Design
Disability Advocates of Kent County offers assistance with Universal Design in building or remodeling to help people live in their house as long as possible. Universal Design is the designing of houses, products, buildings and exterior space to be used and marketed to all people regardless of their abilities. The organization provides consultation of house plans. Staff offer suggestions on how to design a house to make it as user friendly as possible and will research products that will benefit a person on the interior and exterior of the house. If you are looking for assistance in designing a house using Universal Design ideas and concepts, a referral can be made to a residential designer.
Home Evaluations
Disability Advocates of Kent County also has a registered occupational therapist and a certified occupational therapy assistant on staff who can assist persons in locating affordable and accessible homes or apartments for sale or rent. Additionally, they can conduct professional on-site home evaluations and assist individuals in obtaining ramps, accessible bath and shower equipment, and other items. For further information regarding these services, contact Renee at (616) 949-1100.
State Historic Preservation Office
Michigan Historical Center
Department of History, Arts and Libraries
P.O. Box 30740
Lansing, MI 48909-8240
(517) 373-1630
Michigan Historic Preservation Tax Credit
A state income tax credit of up to 25 percent is available for the rehabilitation of certain commercial and residential historic resources located in a local historic district.
Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit
A 20 percent federal income tax credit is available for the rehabilitation of depreciable historic resources rehabilitated for commercial, industrial, agricultural, or rental residential uses. Properties used solely as owner-occupied structures are not eligible for the credit.
Legal Aid of Western Michigan
89 Ionia Avenue NW, Suite 400
Grand Rapids MI 49503
(616) 774-0672
Legal Aid of Western Michigan provides free legal services in non-criminal cases to low income and elderly residents. Legal services may relate to home purchases, negotiations with repair contractors, utility shut-offs, evictions, lead paint hazards, foreclosures, predatory lending issues, possible Chapter 13 bankruptcies, and other housing matters.
Grand Rapids Urban League
745 Eastern Avenue SE
Grand Rapids MI 49503
(616) 245-2207
The Grand Rapids Urban League provides general counseling, information and referral services to individuals and families seeking shelter and experiencing a variety of housing problems. The League's participation in various programs allows it to provide direct assistance to individuals who are being faced with immediate eviction.
Lighthouse Communities, Inc.
1422 Madison Avenue SE
Grand Rapids MI 49507
(616) 451-9140
Neighborhood Housing Fund
This program provides funds to help with home maintenance as well as credit/budget counseling, mortgage/refinance counseling, and foreclosure prevention/solutions.
Help! I have a financial crisis and can't make my mortgage payment.
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