Fremont Area Community Foundation’s Housing Partnership Fund awarded its fourth round of grants to multiple local housing creation projects. In total, $258,000 was awarded.
Projects receiving funding are expected to add more than 100 housing units in White Cloud and Newaygo.
Haven Design Build was awarded $60,000 toward the construction of two new tiny homes near downtown White Cloud. Hope 101 Ministry also received an $18,000 grant to support the conversion of an existing building in White Cloud into an apartment.
In Newaygo, a $150,000 grant was awarded to support the development of multiple apartment units on West Pine Lake Drive. The overall project is expected to add 103 apartment units to the area.
Grants are made possible through a partnership between the Community Foundation and Newaygo County. In 2023, county commissioners approved $1 million to help create the Newaygo County Housing Partnership Fund at the Community Foundation. The Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees has earmarked an additional $3 million. A committee including county officials, Community Foundation staff, and community representatives was formed to create grantmaking guidelines and review proposals.
Since the first round of housing grants was awarded in fall 2023, 16 projects have received $1.3 million in funding. The projects were expected to create a total of 203 new housing units across all five Newaygo County cities. Several projects have already been completed and rented or sold.
A fifth round of housing grants is open for application now, with proposals due on May 1. Nonprofit and for-profit developers are eligible to apply. Applicants are encouraged to leverage additional funding sources and seek the support of local municipalities. Housing developments must be located in Newaygo County to be eligible.
For more information on the application process, contact Lindsay Hager at the Community Foundation at 231.924.5350.
