Dwelling Place to dedicate new $3.7M housing community for survivors of domestic violence

Deborah Johnson Wood

Dwelling Place has completed the $3.7 million renovation of a former temporary housing facility on Grand Rapids' West Side into permanent housing apartments for Kent County individuals who are homeless and survivors of domestic violence. Project leaders expect the two-story building to be LEED-certified at the Platinum level.

A dedication ceremony on February 10 officially opens the residences. The first occupants will move in by the end of the month.

The 16 one-bedroom apartments range in size from 530 square feet to 625 square feet, and two of the apartments are barrier free. An existing porch is now a three-season atrium that opens to a handicap accessible lighted courtyard.

Security cameras in each apartment allow residents to see who is at the outside door when someone rings their doorbell.

"This is a collaborative effort between Dwelling Place and the YWCA," says Jarrett DeWyse, director of housing development at Dwelling Place. "The YWCA is the premier agency that deals with domestic violence in our area.

"They are doing all the screening and all the recommendations for the housing and they'll be providing the services once the person is moved into the housing. It's permanent supportive housing so they can stay for as long as they're in compliance with the lease."

A support staff onsite coordinates services provided by the YWCA and computer and job training classes through Goodwill.

John LaPorte & Associates designed the renovation. Rockford Construction was the construction manager.

Due to the nature of the housing, Dwelling Place has requested that the media refrain from publishing the address of the building.

For more information about residency qualifications, please contact Andrea Jackson of the YWCA West Central Michigan at 616-459-4652.

Source: Jarrett DeWyse and Teresa Zbiciak, Dwelling Place

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Have a development news tip for Rapid Growth? Contact us at [email protected].