Before After
The Housing Rehabilitation Program is a federally funded program administered through the Community Development Department by the Housing Rehabilitation Division. The Program offers affordable loans for home repairs and assistance to qualified homeowners that includes the following:
- Help determining what repairs are needed and how the work should be done with priority given to exterior Housing Code orders, emergency repairs and environmental issues (lead paint),
- Help selecting a contractor and getting a fair price, and
- Help to ensure the repairs are complete and of good quality.
Who is Eligible?
You may be eligible for financial assistance if you:
- Meet program income qualifications.
- Have clear title to your home,
- Have paid all property taxes and City fines,
- Have owned and lived in your home for at least one year,
- Have fire and hazard insurance on your home,
- Live in the Community Development General Target Area. This map can help you determine if you do.
There may be other criteria that apply to your situation, so be sure to pay close attention to the instructions when you fill out your application, or call the Housing Rehabilitation Office at (616) 456-3030.
How much can I borrow?
If you meet the criteria listed above, you may be eligible for a loan for home repairs between $1,000 and $24,000. If you have received more than one loan for home repairs through this program, all of the loans you have received must total less than $24,000 to receive more assistance.
The terms of the loan are based on the total household income. Assistance is provided as a loan or a matching loan based on a sliding scale of income. The homeowner's ability to repay the loan is also a factor in determining the amount of the loan.
What kind of repairs can be done?
Some of the repairs that can be made using financial assistance through the Housing Rehabilitation Program include:
- Repairs or upgrades to improve the energy efficienty of your home
- Emergency repairs, such as roof or furnace replacement
- Exterior repairs like new siding, new windows, and porch repairs or replacement
- Repairs to items that effect the homeowner's health and safety
- Repairs to make the home accessible for a handicap person
- Treatment of lead-based paint or asbestos hazards
You may not make repairs that are related to fire/smoke damage, purchase new appliances or tools, do new construction, or make luxury improvements.
Before After
Before After
How to Apply
To apply for assistance, download an application (PDF) here, or call the Housing Rehabilitation Division at (616) 456-3030 to have one mailed to you. If you would prefer to pick-up an application, the Housing Rehabilitation Division is open from
Mail or return your completed application to:
City of
Housing Rehabilitation Division
What happens after my loan is approved?
After your loan is approved, Housing Rehabilitation Division staff will perform a detailed inspection to confirm and/or identify required and optional repairs. You will receive:
- A set of detailed project specifications for eligible work at your home prepared by the Housing Rehabilitation Division.
- Assistance from the Housing Rehabilitation Division managing the construction contract and several inspections throughout the process to ensure you are receiving quality repairs.