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Plaza Roosevelt

Building With Our Neighbors

Plaza Roosevelt

Building With Our Neighbors

  • About
  • Neighborhood Plan
  • Community Words
  • Partners
  • FAQs

Stronger Together.

In 2013, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County had an opportunity to purchase 5.5 acres of land in the heart of the Roosevelt Park neighborhood. We could have just built our Habitat homes on that site and stopped there, but we didn’t. Inspired by our Roosevelt Park neighbors, we decided to think bigger.

With the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association and some other longstanding neighborhood organizations, Habitat Kent started talking with the people who know the neighborhood best – its residents. We went door to door, we hosted meetings, we conducted surveys, and we helped organize special projects and events that brought people together to talk about their hopes and dreams for the neighborhood.

In the years since Habitat Kent invited more partners to join the conversation with the residents of Roosevelt Park. Together, we explored the possibilities to bring the neighbors’ vision for a stronger, healthier neighborhood to life.

Enter Plaza Roosevelt: a neighborhood-focused plan to expand affordable housing, health, education, and economic opportunities for the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood.

See The Neighborhood Plan
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A collaborative plan to expand affordable
housing, education, and economic opportunities.

Families who live in Roosevelt Park love this neighborhood. They have big dreams for their children. They dream for greater access to educational opportunities, health care, out of school programs, and safe, healthy, affordable housing. They see a bright future for Roosevelt Park.

Housing:

1. Habitat expanded homeownership opportunities through 17 new homes.

2-3. Dwelling Place built approximately 48 new two– and three–bedroom affordable rental units.

Healthcare:

4. Mercy Health Saint Mary’s expanded Clinica Santa Maria to provide neighbors with a bi-lingual pharmacy and other services.

Education:

5. Grand Rapids Public Schools built a new South West Community Campus high school to bring secondary education to the neighborhood.

Greenspace:

6. The partners will collaborate to design a public green space that will give the neighbors a safe and beautiful place to gather.

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2
3
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1

Housing:

1. Habitat will expand homeownership opportunities through 17 new homes.

2

Housing:

2. Dwelling Place will build approximately 45 new two – and three – bedroom affordable rental units.

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Housing:

2. Dwelling Place will build approximately 45 new two – and three – bedroom affordable rental units.

4

Healthcare:

3. Mercy Health Saint Mary’s will expand Clinica Santa Maria to provide neighbors with a bi-lingual pharmacy and other services.

5

Education:

4.  Grand Rapids Public Schools will build a new South West Community Campus high school to bring secondary education to the neighborhood.

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Greenspace:

5. The partners will collaborate to design a public green space that will give the neighbors a safe and beautiful place to gather.

About the Habitat Kent Homes at Plaza Roosevelt

  • Past rendering of the Plaza Roosevelt homes

  • Past rendering of the Plaza Roosevelt homes

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Homeowners moved into all seventeen homes and are now part of the condominium association. This cohort of families completed Habitat Kent’s homeownership readiness program, including financial literacy courses, home maintenance training, and at least 200 hours of “sweat equity,” depending on family size.

Thirteen of the units are townhome-style houses, and the remaining four units are detached single-family homes. All seventeen homes are LEED-certified and are among the first homes built by Habitat Kent whose wall and floor systems were prefabricated offsite at Habitat Kent’s new panelization factory. 

Click here to learn more about Habitat Kent’s homeownership programs.

what the community is saying

“True collaboration, instead of competition, is what’s going to drive this development. Watch us work!”

Gerol Bailey
Neighborhood Partner Committee

“This project reflects our hopes and dreams – to be a place where we can raise strong and healthy families.”

Reggie Smith, President
Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association

“I applaud the creativity and the collaboration in the Plaza Roosevelt plans…Plaza Roosevelt is a model for public, private, nonprofit, and residential cooperation.”

Rosalynn Bliss
Mayor, City of Grand Rapids

“We are pleased to be a partner in something that is…benefiting our neighbors and driven by our neighbors. This is a step toward a bright and strong future for an already vibrant neighborhood.”

Amy Brower, Director
Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association

“This amazing development opportunity truly demonstrates the power of people and partnership and how we in Grand Rapids come together to support our students, families, and neighbors.”

Teresa Weatherall Neal
Superintendent, Grand Rapids Public Schools

“The Plaza Roosevelt development…represents what is – and what could be more often – the best of Grand Rapids…it is a story tenacious neighborhood residents and community spirit aligned in the light of empowerment.”

Carole Valade
Grand Rapids Business Journal

Our
Partners

Habitat Kent has invited more partners to join the conversation with the residents of Roosevelt Park. Together, we explored the possibilities to bring the neighbors’ vision for a stronger, healthier neighborhood to life.

 
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Habitat’s Homeownership Program

Frequently Asked Questions…

What kind of housing units are you building?

We build single-family homes and condominiums that range from 2-5 bedrooms depending on family size. Our properties are located in the Baxter, Roosevelt Park and Black Hills Neighborhoods on the southwest side of Grand Rapids.

Is this housing for the homeless?

While we have provided stable and affordable housing to individuals who have dealt with homelessness, that is not a requirement. The housing units are available for families or individuals with low to moderate incomes that do not currently own a home or live in inadequate conditions. Examples of inadequate conditions may include: unsafe, overcrowded, temporarily staying with family/friends, or cost-burdened by high rent.

What is the mortgage payment for these homes and how much do I have to earn?

Our homes are sold with affordable mortgages with payments that are based on 22-28% of the homebuyer’s gross income. Minimum and maximum income guidelines exist in order to ensure the homebuyer will be financially ready to make payments. These guidelines are dependent on household size and more information may be found on the application. In addition, the applicant must have 12 months of steady income and be able to save up for and make a down payment of $1,000 by the time of closing.

When can I apply and how do I get an application?

Learn more about our homeownership programs and how to apply here.

How long does the entire process take?

The process of submitting an application to being approved for the Homeownership program to moving into a home usually takes a year and a half to two years. The program requires a significant time commitment and volunteer hours from the prospective homebuyer.

Do you conduct criminal or credit history checks?

We check all applicants and household members age 17 and over against national and state sex offender registries. Being on a registry leads to further assessment. A credit check is done to ensure the monthly debt burden is no more than 38% of the homebuyer’s gross monthly income.

Do you charge an application fee?

A $10 application fee exists in order to cover the cost of credit history checks. Veterans are exempt.

Can Habitat homeowners sell their Habitat Homes?

Yes, they can sell at any time. However, Habitat has first right to purchase.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to us over the phone at 616-588-5225, by email at homes@habitatkent.org, or in person at the address below. Even if you do not think you will qualify, we may be able to refer you to other organizations that can help.

A Home Can Change Lives

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

  • Main Office:

    425 Pleasant St. SW
    Grand Rapids, MI 49503
    (616) 774-2431

  • Main Office Hours:

    Monday – Thursday: 10am – 2pm*

    *Visits at all other times are by appointment only.

  • ReStore South: Division

    5701 Division Ave S
    Wyoming, MI 49548
    (616) 531-4591

  • ReStore North: Alpine

    5920 Alpine Ave NW
    Comstock Park, MI 49321
    (616) 647-9292

  • ReStore Hours:

    Monday-Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
    Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

  • ReStore Donation Drop-Off Hours:

    **PLEASE NOTE: DONATION HOURS CURRENTLY VARY DUE TO STAFFING

    Monday-Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Saturday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

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Interested in this house? Get a pre-qualification letter from a participating mortgage lender participating within our program requirements:

  • Mercantile Bank, Staci Nichols
  • Choice One Bank, Bonnie Potter
  • Mortgage 1, Dan Grzywacz , or
  • Click here to see a list of MHSDA-approved lenders

Veteran Homeownership Application Request

Home Repair Wait List

Group Interest Survey

  • Habitat for Humanity of Kent County provides a variety of volunteer opportunities which can vary depending on the group size, age restrictions, season and general availability. Construction opportunities are full day commitments. Should you prefer a partial day activity or volunteers to work in shifts you will be scheduled for specific tasks or in one of our 3 ReStore locations.
  • Age restrictions apply to certain projects and will be enforced. Most tasks require volunteers to be at least 16 years old. Specific jobs may allow other ages. These restrictions will be indicated by a member of the volunteer services department when a date is offered.
  • Please acknowledge that you understand groups may not be confirmed until 30-60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE AGREED UPON by our volunteer services department. Due to the volume of requests for volunteer opportunities, we will ask that you agree/disagree to the date we offer within a week’s time (unless otherwise noted in our email). This ensures we can look for an alternative date if necessary and place you within a timely fashion.
  • After the completed form is submitted expect to be contacted by a member of our volunteer services department within one week.