A strategic vision for housing and affordable development in the city of Grand Rapids has been released in draft form.
Connie Bohatch is the managing director of community services for the city of Grand Rapids.
“I think Grand Rapids is becoming a much more desirable place to work and live, and housing demand has increased," she says.
"And with that has brought a lot of conversation around - 'What is the demand? What type of housing should be built and redeveloped? And what should those price points be?'”
The city’s Great Housing Strategy began in April as a day-long event. It included about 200 participants across community, business and civic leadership with oversight by city commissioners Ruth Kelly, SenitaLenear and Elias Lumpkins.
About 90 people volunteered to serve on four workgroups that began meeting in June.
The draft version of the Great Housing Strategy report can be found online. A presentation on the report will occur at the City Commission's 9:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday, October 13.
Bohatch says topics include affordable housing and strategy as well as future community development and market needs.
She says recommendations may include changes to zoning, economic development and other city policies, which would be explored further later this fall.
You can find the draft report here.
