GR Roundup: Elections, Affordable Housing, Small Business Grant

Press release from the City of Grand Rapids:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City Commission held its bimonthly meetings Tuesday and received an update on COVID-19 response, per the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s (MDHHS) ‘Pause to Save Lives’ order. The briefing included a list of measures the City is taking involving investments in economic recovery including launch of a $1 million Small Business Grant program, City service modifications, housing and homelessness, and a crime statistic update.

The commission authorized the sale of two properties to LINC Up Nonprofit Housing Development Corporation for affordable housing and set a date for public hearings on the rehabilitation of an obsolete property on Leonard Street NW that will create another 18 units of housing. It approved several grants aimed at helping those who are affected by domestic violence and addiction were accepted and matched. The commission also set a date for a public hearing on elections held on even-numbered years to implement the result of the November 3 election. Here’s a recap:

Public safety committee update

Eric DeLong, deputy city manager, framed the Public Safety Committee’s update around the ‘Pause to Save Lives’ order, a housing and homelessness update, crime report that included introduction of crime analysis staff and introduction of Office of Oversight and Public Accountability staff. He said the City’s Policy and Emergency Operations Center teams spent Sunday evening and Monday morning developing and implementing the City’s response to maintain services for residents and businesses and protect the health of its staff. Having accomplished that, DeLong said the City now has renewed its focus on community recovery.

DeLong outlined many actions to encourage COVID-19 economic recovery. Some of the items already underway include:

• Mobile GR is pivoting to provide take-out service locations for restaurants. Conversion of parking spaces for this purpose was successful this past spring and will be revived for the fall.
• The City is working to winterize social zones in collaboration with neighboring businesses and the Downtown Development Authority– including expanding social district use across the community with the Retail Specialist and Corridor Improvement Authorities
• The City’s Economic Development Office launched a new Small Business Grant Program Tuesday to provide grants of up to $5,000 to eligible small businesses that have experienced a loss of revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. CLICK HERE to apply or get more information.
• The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, facilitated by the Small Business Association of Michigan, is providing federal CARES Act funds to help qualifying small businesses expand their capacity by adding weatherized, temporary outdoor facilities. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis with special consideration given to awarding at least 10 grants in each of Michigan’s prosperity regions. Applications open at noon Wednesday, Nov. 18. CLICK HERE to watch a video outlining the program.
• $4.2 million of Housing investments continue to work in the community including rental assistance, eviction prevention and homelessness prevention. Anyone experiencing a housing crisis or food shortage should call 211. Access to support through the La Lucha Fund is through the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. See Housing and homelessness update below.
• Extending the water shut off moratorium through December 31. Residents can apply for water/sewer utility bill assistance through Kent County Community Action Agency at 616-632-7950. Residents may also call 211, Consumers Energy or DTE for assistance with those utilities.
• Encouraging those out of work to apply for unemployment assistance through Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
• Having the City’s Economic Resiliency and Recovery Work Group continue to work with community partners to help support residents and businesses during this COVID-10 pandemic.

COVID-19 update

Allison Farole, emergency management administrator, updated the committee on the status of COVID-19 in Grand Rapids and Kent County as well as the City’s efforts to address coronavirus-related issues as the MDHHS orders that went into effect today. Farole noted a steady increase in cases over the last six weeks due to community spread through social gatherings. The positivity rate for the day of November 16 was 15.8% with a seven-day average positivity rate of 13.9%. The positivity and death rates have increased since this summer, which experienced a positivity rate at approximately 3%. She reiterated the importance of preventative measures such as wearing a mask over both the mouth and nose, practicing social distancing, minimizing gatherings with those outside of the household and quarantining while waiting for test results. The City’s emergency team shared the MDHHS’s Pause to Save Lives guidelines for limiting social gatherings in public and in personal household settings, including guidance on how to form social pods with sets of friends to stay safe during the pandemic.

For a list of Kent County Health Department’s COVID-19 testing locations, CLICK HERE. Appointments are recommended.

City service modifications

The City of Grand Rapids is modifying how it delivers some municipal services in wake of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) ‘Pause to Save Lives’ order. Beginning today, Wednesday, Nov. 18, through Tuesday, Dec. 8, the City’s Customer Service Center, located on the Monroe Avenue level of City Hall, will remain open to walk-in service; however, all other offices will be available by appointment only. Note that most City offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The City’s Customer Service Center on the Monroe Level of City Hall will remain open to the public 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Staff members are available to provide services via email, phone or 311 Customer Service. The City’s website – grandrapidsmi.gov – also offers a wide range of services. Call Customer Service at 311 or 616.456.3000 or email info@grcity.us.

Community members also are reminded to call 311 or 616.456.3000 – not 911 – to report concerns about individuals and businesses not following the ‘Pause to Save Lives’ MDHHS order.

Housing and homelessness

Connie Bohatch, managing director of community services, gave an update on the City’s ongoing goals to address housing and homelessness throughout the city – especially as it is exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic – through tactics such as investments in affordable housing, community programs and partnerships with local organizations. COVID-related City investments in housing and homelessness total $3,316,218 with funding coming from the community development block grant, HOME investment partnerships, emergency solutions grants, Economic Resiliency Recovery Investment Strategy, CARES Act and reserved housing funds.

Those investments are in addition to the City’s annual investments in housing and homelessness reduction that have accomplished or has started the process of accomplishing the following plans to address housing issues and reduce homelessness:

• Increased the supply of affordable housing with 77 affordable units constructed
• Improved the condition of existing housing with home repairs and conversions to accessible housing
• Reduced blight and code violations
• Increased access to and stability of affordable housing, which includes providing rental assistance, fair housing education and outreach services and free legal counseling and representation for housing-related matters
• Reduced and prevented homelessness through financial assistance to 51 households and rapidly rehousing 24 households

The City has placed a special emphasis on homelessness through the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) and the Homelessness Work Group. HOT was launched in April in response to the pandemic to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among homeless persons, but it has now expanded its mission and goals beyond the pandemic. The Homelessness Work Group launched in October as a function of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to expand on the HOT’s work. It is focused on a three-phase action plan – immediate, mid-term and long-term actions – to protect the health and safety and improve outcomes for homeless persons and the community by addressing immediate, emerging and systemic conditions made worse by COVID-19.

Community members needing housing assistance are reminded to call United Way 211 or 800.887.1107 or visit hwmuw.org. 211 can also assist with community and social services such as food and shelter, bill pay assistance and cybercrime support.

Crime statistics

The Grand Rapids Police Department’s Deputy Chief David Kiddle outlined crime statistics comparing crimes committed this year and last year (January to October). Violent Part 1 crimes – including aggravated assault, arson and murder – saw significant increases. While gun-related crimes increased on average more than 119%. Part 2 crimes – including less violent offenses like non-aggravated assault, embezzlement, liquor-related crimes and fraud – all saw decreases.

To view the presentation on COVID-19 response, housing, homelessness and crime statistics, CLICK HERE.

Grants to help victims of domestic assault and addiction

The City Commission approved an ordinance to approve several grants awarded to the 61st District Court to help those who are abused and victimized by domestic violence in addition to those affected by addiction.

Domestic Assault Response Team (DART) Grant

The 61st District Court received a grant for support of their Domestic Assault Response Team (DART) from the Victims of Crime Act funds. The program’s total expenditures total $118,178 and total receipts from grants will be $101,348. The City approved a grant match to cover the additional $16,830 from the General Operating Fund.

Drug/Sobriety Court

The Court also received grants totaling $312,900 from the Office of Community Corrections and the Michigan Drug Court Grant Program for their 2021 drug/sobriety court program. Total expenditures for the Court’s drug/sobriety court program are expected to be $436,144.86, a difference of $150,244.86. The Commission authorized the transfer of $150,244.86 from the District Court Grants Fund. The Court also received a grant award of $79,000 from the Office of Highway Safety and Planning to expand its current Sobriety Court program by 40 to 50 participants. The Court will receive $83,000 from the General Operating Fund to cover the expected total expenditures of $162,5000, plus the addition of one probation officer position.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Grant

The Commission approved the request and appropriation of a SAMSHA grant award in the amount of $400,000 to expand on their drug/sobriety court services, which include participation and services for those defendants with co-occurring disorders. This is the third installment of a five-year grant agreement that began on September 30, 2018, renewable annually ($400,000 each year) for a total of $2 million.

CARES Act funds and crime prevention

On October 22, the Kent County Board of Commissioners made $500,000 of the County’s CARES Act funding available to the City of Grand Rapids for crime prevention investments through the Police Department during the coronavirus pandemic. During its meeting, the City Commission motion to approve the $500,000 grant from the Kent County Board of Commissioners was not adopted with a 3-3 vote.

Even-year elections public hearing

The Commission set a Tuesday, Dec. 1 public hearing on the measure to change the election of the mayor, comptroller, city commission and library board to even-numbered years. Voters approved the City Charter amendment during the November 3 general election. In accordance with Public Act 523 of 2012, the public hearing is a required procedure to make this change – though comment garnered will not change the outcome of the even-numbered years charter revision. The required public hearing will take place at 7 p.m. during the City Commission meeting, broadcast live on Comcast government access Channel 26 and streamed live on the City of Grand Rapids’ YouTube and Facebook pages.

Affordable housing projects

The Commission approved a resolution that authorizes the sale 921 Hazen SE and 922 Benjamin SE to LINC Up Nonprofit Housing Development Corporation for affordable housing projects. Both 921 Hazen SE and 922 Benjamin SE are 2019 tax foreclosed properties that were acquired by the City from Kent County and offered to all of the non-profit housing developers as candidates for affordable housing. The partnership with LINC Up fulfills the City’s desire to work with non-profit housing organizations and service providers for the purpose of providing affordable housing for both rental and homeownership.

The City will sell 922 Benjamin SE for $16,557.58 and 921 Hazen SE for $8,519.76. The $25,077.34 total will cover all costs of acquisition and maintenance of the properties during the City’s period of ownership.

Housing project on Leonard NW

The Commission set a Tuesday, Dec. 1 public hearing to hear comment on an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District as well as a twelve-year Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Exemption (OPRA) Certificate for 730 Leonard Street Partners, LLC at 730 Leonard Street NW. The applicant, 730 Leonard Street Partners, plans to rehabilitate the obsolete building for commercial and residential use. This development is consistent with the West Side Area Specific Plan in the West Leonard Business District.

The building at 730 Leonard Street NW contains a three-story structure with 16,133 square feet and a 5,414 square foot storage basement. The building was originally constructed in 1927 and has been vacant except for one retail and one storage tenant. Renovation plans include 18 upper-level apartments, first-floor office and retail space and basement-level storage.

The public hearing will take place at 7 p.m. during the City Commission meeting, which is broadcasted live on Comcast government access Channel 26 and streamed live on the City of Grand Rapids’ YouTube and Facebook pages.

Gun buyback program

In its continued efforts to reduce gun violence in throughout the city, the Commission approved $22,000 in funds for the gun buyback program sponsored in part by the SAFE Task Force. The funds were used to cover administrative costs and to purchase gift cards distributed to gun buyback participants on November 7. Combined, the two gun buyback events removed a total of 263 guns from circulation in the community.

For a complete look at Tuesday’s City Commission meeting agendas, CLICK HERE.

This press release was produced by the City of Grand Rapids. The views expressed are the author's own.