MSHDA awards $275,000 in neighborhood enhancement grants

Media Contact: Misty Miller
517-373-1858 | millerm58@michigan.gov

April 9, 2018

Lansing, MICH. – Six Michigan communities will benefit from Neighborhood Enhancement Program grants this summer that will generate high-impact projects directly tied to enhancing and stabilizing the area.

“These grants are awarded to local groups with innovative ideas that addressed specific needs in their neighborhoods,” said MSHDA Executive Director Earl Poleski. “The projects that have been selected are highly visible, housing-oriented projects that will improve the quality of life for the people living in these communities.”

NEP grants require that the projects and activities align with one or more of three core components: beautification, neighborhood public amenity enhancements and/or infrastructure enhancements. Funded projects should be completed by the fall and make a noticeable difference within the community.

“The goal of this funding is to help – and eventually showcase – model Michigan neighborhoods where residents are engaged and facilitating change,” Poleski said.

The grant awardees are:

Global Detroit, Banglatown, Detroit
Grant Amount: $30,000
Homeowner rehabilitation projects of owner-occupied homes in the East Davison Village Neighborhood.
 
Arab American & Chaldean Council, Northtown, Detroit
Grant Amount: $29,400
The Arab American and Chaldean Council will utilize NEP grant funds to provide murals and signage as well as beautification improvements including landscaping in close proximity to the ACC campus and 7 Mile Road.  The project will also provide assistance for beautification within the opportunity zone to improve the overall physical appearance and safety of the area. 
 
Bridging Communities, Detroit
Grant Amount: $30,000           
Homeowner rehabilitation projects of owner-occupied homes in the Chadsey Condon Neighborhood.
 
Life Builders, Detroit
Grant Amount: $30,000                
Beautification and cleanup of the Greater Regent Park Neighborhood and minor homeowner rehabilitation projects to owner-occupied homes.
 
Focus HOPE, Detroit
Grant Amount: $11,538
Upgrades to the Cool Cities Park (also known as the HOPE Community Park) to facilitate the artesian/farmer’s market.

Bay Area Housing, Bay City
Grant Amount: $30,000
North Grant Street, Bay City, MI 48708
Homeowner rehabilitation projects within the Grant Street project area which is central within the city’s Center Avenue Historic District.

Gogebic Range Health Foundation, Ironwood
Grant Amount: $30,000
Construction of a non-motorized pedestrian trail connecting the Ironwood Housing Commission’s Apartment Complex to the Little League Field and the 167 acre Miners Memorial Heritage Park.

Vibrant Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo
Grant Amount: $30,000
The Eastside Gateway Project will create a park with native plantings and landscaping installations.

Allen Neighborhood Center, Lansing
Grant Amount: $29,579
Foster Park Enhancements will include improving access by the creation of a multiuse path and entrance upgrades, the addition of benches and public art in the park, as well as improvements to the basketball courts and the Greater Lansing Food Bank Garden Project Resource Building.

Dwelling Place, Muskegon Heights
Grant Amount: $24,483                
Bethlehem Park renovations including fencing and safety improvements, pavilion and pump house as well as playground improvements. This park is on the grounds of a new 50-unit MSHDA housing development, Roosevelt Apartments, formerly Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School.

 
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents and to engage in community economic development activities to revitalize urban and rural communities.*

*MSHDA's loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mshda.