Our Mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Our Vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Build, Rehab and Repair Homes.
Provide financial and homeownership training to homebuyers.
Contribute to Neighborhood Revitalization.
Work one-on-one with homebuyers
Focus on neighborhoods, listen to neighbors
Get involved with neighborhood & business associations
Partner with other organizations to implement innovative solutions
We build more because people from all walks of life join together to volunteer and support our work.
Frequent moves and living in unsafe or unhealthy housing can have detrimental effects on children’s mental and physical health. In a Habitat home, cleaner airflow, lower stress levels, resources to invest in healthcare, and feeling safe and secure all contribute to healthy living. Click to learn more.
Housing instability can affect how children perform in school, and can even put whole classrooms behind. Students who move less often do better in school and their parents can pursue dreams of higher education. Click to learn more.
Lower-income families often spend a majority of their income on housing, leaving fewer resources to support health and education. An affordable mortgage lets homeowners pay down debt, accumulate savings, and build equity.
The neighborhoods where we live help determine our outcomes. Habitat homes contribute to stronger neighborhoods by increasing property values, stabilizing housing, and encouraging investment and civic engagement. Click to learn more.
Faith in Action:
We demonstrate our faith in God by serving families with generosity, humility and love.
Hope:
We build hope and create opportunities for families seeking a better life through neighborhood revitalization and homeownership.
Integrity:
We act with fairness, honesty, and respect in our relationships and in the stewardship of the resources entrusted to us.
Healing Racism:
We partner wholeheartedly with individuals and families of every race, color, and national origin, and advocate together for the elimination of racism in our community.
Sustainability:
We are committed to sustainable practices which benefit families, neighborhoods, communities and the environment.
Collaboration:
We partner with all stakeholders, empowering us to achieve our mission.
Does Habitat give away homes?
Habitat homes are not given away. Qualifying families purchase their homes with up to a 30-year, zero-interest mortgage.
What is affordable housing?
Habitat Kent partners with people who are in need of safe, stable, and affordable housing. At Habitat Kent we view “affordable housing” as those who earn less than 80% of the area median income for Kent County (maximum approximately $53,000 per year gross household income for a family of four). But income isn’t the only requirement to partner with Habitat Kent, all future homeowners must have a need for housing (physical conditions, space, safety) and be willing to partner with us by purchasing the home and earning sweat equity hours.
How many families has Habitat Kent helped?
Since July 6, 1983, we have helped over 600 families turn their dreams of homeownership into reality and have lifted over 1,500 children out of substandard housing.
Does Habitat partner with families long-term?
Yes, we are committed to the long-term sustainability of Habitat homeowners, their economic success and the neighborhoods where they live. We do not walk away when a family moves into their Habitat home – we walk alongside them all the way through their final mortgage payment. Because of this partnership, Habitat Kent homeowners have a 94% success rate in maintaining homeownership long-term.
How does Habitat ensure racial justice?
In a spirit of partnership, Habitat Kent is intentionally focused on eliminating racism and working to ensure that all people, regardless of their race, have the resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential. We will keep this focus on racial justice while revitalizing neighborhoods in the greater Grand Rapids area in partnership with the Habitat Board of Directors, homebuyers, donors, volunteers and staff.
How many people volunteer with Habitat Kent?
On average we have 5,000 people volunteer with Habitat Kent every year.
Are Habitat homes LEED-certified?
Yes. All new Habitat Kent homes and gut rehabs are LEED-certified. Nearly 152 homes (and every new home since 2007) have been LEED certified, making Habitat Kent one of the largest green builders in the nation. LEED certification means a warm, safe, healthy home and saves our families hundreds of dollars every year on energy bills. For families living near the poverty line, these savings each month eliminate the decision between food and heat.
What is Habitat ReStore?
Habitat for Humanity ReStore sells new and gently-used building materials and home improvement products to the public at discounted prices. Proceeds help Habitat Kent fund the construction of even more Habitat homes. All Kent County ReStores are open to the public: everyone is encouraged to donate, shop and volunteer.
What economic impact does Habitat have in the community?
According to the National Association of Home Builders, the estimated one-year economic impact of building 30 Habitat homes includes:
How does Habitat Kent compare to other Habitat affiliates?
Habitat Kent is Michigan’s top producing Habitat affiliate.
What has Habitat Kent been recognized for?
-Since 2007, every new home built by Habitat Kent has been LEED certified
-U.S. Green Building Council member since 2008
-2011 LEED for Homes Outstanding Program Commitment
-Built first LEED Gold Version 4 standards from the U.S. Green Building Council, or USGBC in Michigan and Midwest (2016)
-2015 Nomination for West Michigan Business Forum Sustainable Business of the Year Award
-2015 Better Business Bureau Torch Award Finalist
-Selected affiliate to take part of the Habitat International neighborhood revitalization initiative
-Michigan Affiliate of the Year (2007, 2014)
-Habitat for Humanity International 2013 Affiliates of Distinction Honorable Mention
-2013 EPIC Non-profit of the Year
-Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center 2013 Work Based Learning Center Site of the Year
-Campus Compact award for partnership with Grand Rapids Community College
-Finalist for the Good Neighbor Award through the Neighborhood
-The State of Michigan Disability Council awarded Habitat Kent the “Corrie Bair Inclusive Communities Award for Housing” for building homes with “ZeroStep” entry
-“Approved Environmental Group” by 1% for the Planet
-Habitat Kent received the award of “Deal of the Year” by Grand Rapids Business Journal
-Sam Mompongo Award of $1 million in tithe contributions
-Completed neighborhood revitalization Building Blocks Campaign of $5 million that served 200 families in two years.
-Served more than 600 families in Kent County
– Veteran Non-Profit of the Year and Non-Profit of the Year award from the “2015 WGVU I Have Made a Difference Awards”
-2016 Governor’s Energy Excellence Award for best communication and education program.
-Neighborhood Business Awards 2015 Best District Promotion (Granville Avenue Neighborhood promotion funded and support by Habitat Kent neighborhood revitalization)
-Gerald R. Ford Job Corps “2016 Community Partner of the Year”
-2016 Habitat Kent became an official LEED Power Builder
-2017 MiBiz Best Managed Nonprofit
-2016 Outstanding Affordable Developer/ Builder of the Year (USGBC)
-Kent County Land Bank Authority Affordable Housing Achievement Award (February 23rd, 2017)
-2017 Indoor airPLUS Leader Award (Affordable Builder Category)
-2017 Create Great Collaboration Award (Center for Community Leadership)
-2017-2017 HWMUW Grant Recipient
How does Habitat Kent support our local education system?
Habitat Kent partners with Grand Rapids Public Schools Academy for Design & Construction and Grand Rapids Community College M-TEC. These students learned cutting-edge building skills firsthand while giving back to their community and working alongside a Habitat partner family.
