County approves plan to support affordable housing in Lowell
Photo courtesy of Flat River Outreach Ministries
The Kent County Board of Commissioners has approved the County’s first-ever Brownfield Redevelopment Plan, paving the way for new affordable housing in the City of Lowell. Through the Kent County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the approved plan will enable Flat River Outreach Ministries to transform a vacant parcel at 504 E. Main Street into a 17-unit affordable housing development featuring two multi-unit buildings and one duplex.
“Access to safe, affordable housing is essential to maintaining strong, vibrant communities,” said Al Vanderberg, Kent County Administrator/Controller. “We’re proud to support Flat River Outreach Ministries’ efforts to expand housing opportunities in Lowell while revitalizing an underutilized property.”
The $2.8 million project will offer a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom rental units, each designed to be affordable for households earning between 50% and 120% of the area median income. Five units, or about 29% of the total, will be reserved for households at or below 120% AMI.
“The approval of our Brownfield Plan will allow us to keep our rents affordable for those in need,” said Wendie Preiss, Executive Director of Flat River Outreach Ministries. "We appreciate the support and approval from the Kent County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and we look forward to partnering with them further."
Construction began in summer 2025 and will conclude by summer 2026. Once completed, the development will serve roughly 40 residents at a time - benefiting an estimated 400 residents over the next 25 years.
The project has received strong local support. The Lowell Downtown Development Authority approved a pass-through of its annual tax increment revenues to the County for the duration of the plan, and the Lowell City Council approved the plan at its August 18 meeting.
The Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act (Act 381 of 1996) enables local governments to use tax increment financing to reimburse developers for eligible costs associated with redeveloping contaminated, blighted, or underutilized properties - or, as in this case, housing properties that address community-identified housing needs. The Brownfield Plan outlines $750,000 in eligible reimbursable costs, which will be recovered through local and state tax increment revenues over 15 years. An additional five years of tax capture will support the Kent County Local Brownfield Revolving Fund, which reinvests in future redevelopment projects across the county.
“This new Brownfield Redevelopment Plan reflects our commitment to using innovative tools to meet housing needs throughout Kent County,” said Josh Spencer, Kent County Strategic Impact Director. “This first plan sets the stage for how local collaboration can make meaningful progress toward housing affordability.”
For more information, visit https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1788/Brownfield-Redevelopment-and-Housing-Pro.
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