Affordable Housing Fund Board

One of the City’s critical strategic plan objectives is to establish a fund to promote the development of affordable housing in the community. Plans were paused in late 2018 due to a variety of circumstances. The City’s Strategic Plan provided a framework for development of the fund. Housing Next was retained to formulate strategic direction and housing demand was established through a Housing Needs Assessment which indicated a need for over 9,000 rental and for-sale housing units at all price points over the next five years.

This work has provided a strong foundation for next steps and continues to build upon the Great Housing Strategies and Housing NOW! initiatives.

City Commission Policy 900-62

City Commission Policy for guidance for establishment, operation and long-term investment in the City of Grand Rapids Affordable Housing Fund. Enacted September 14, 2021.

Affordable Housing Fund Policy

Bylaws

Bylaws approved by Affordable Housing Fund Board at September 29th, 2022 meeting(PDF, 220KB)

Get Involved!

Interested in applying to serve on a board or commission? View openings and the application process by clicking the link below.

Apply for Boards and Commissions

 

 

No Residency Requirement

You don't have to live in the City limits to sit on this board.

No Term Limits

Each term lasts 3 years. There is no term limit, so you can serve an unlimited number of terms.

No Compensation

Affordable Housing Fund Board members are unpaid.

Apply for Boards and Commissions

Monica Steimle-App

Mayoral Appointment
Vice Chair
Ward 2 Resident
Term Ends: 12/31/2027

Virginia Beard

Ward 1 Commission Appointment
Ward 1 Resident
Term Ends: 12/31/2027

Eric Brown

City Commission Appointment
Chair
Ward 3 Resident
Term Ends: 12/31/2025

Daniel Drent

City Commission Appointment
Ward 1 Resident
Term Ends: 12/31/2026

Cassandra Oracz

Ward 2 Commission Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term Ends: 12/31/2027

Lindsey Reames

Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Housing Commission

Christopher Romero

City Commission Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term Ends: 12/31/2025

Jeffrey King

City Commission Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term Ends: 12/31/2026

Mark Washington

City Manager Appointment
Ward 2 Resident
Term Ends: 12/31/2027

Tabitha Williams 

City Commission Appointment
Ward 3 Resident
Term Ends: 12/31/2025

Vacancy

Ward 3 Commission Appointment
Term Ends: 12/31/2027

June 4, 2025

March 18, 2025

February 5, 2025

December 4, 2024

September 4, 2024

August 7, 2024

March 21, 2023

March 1, 2023

February 1, 2023

January 4, 2023

December 12, 2022

November 16, 2022

October 24, 2022

July 28, 2022

Agenda(PDF, 88KB)

Minutes(PDF, 105KB)

Additional Materials

Affordable Housing Fund Board Staff Presentation(PDF, 198KB)

August 25, 2022

Agenda(PDF, 134KB)

Minutes(PDF, 86KB)

Additional Materials

DEI Training - Affordable Housing Fund(PDF, 2MB)
DEI Pre-Work 1 - Affordable Housing Fund(PDF, 615KB)
DEI Pre-Work 2 - Affordable Housing Fund(PDF, 573KB)
City of Grand Rapids Affordable Housing Fund Board Orientation(PDF, 2MB)

 

September 29, 2022

Agenda(PDF, 100KB)

Additional Materials

City of Grand Rapids Climate Change and Environmental Justice Work – with a Focus on Housing(PDF, 4MB)

DEI Training Follow Up - Affordable Housing Fund(PDF, 842KB)

Funding Sources and Uses(PDF, 1MB)

 

City Staff Contact

Board Liaison
Kate Berens
Deputy City Manager
616-456-3120

 

Future Meetings

The meetings will be held in person at City Hall, 300 Monroe Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Please refer to the information below for precise details regarding the meeting time and location.

   Download Annual Meeting Schedule (2025)

 

February 5, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: City Hall Commission Chambers

 

March 18, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: City Hall Commission Chambers

 

June 4, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: City Hall Commission Chambers

 

September 17, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: City Hall Commission Chambers

 

December 18, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: City Hall Conference Room 601

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