Genesis Non-Profit Housing Corporation and Colliers International|West Michigan have completed St. James Apartments and Townhomes, an affordable supportive housing development project in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“The project fills a growing need in our community for high-quality, long-term affordable housing,” said City of Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, in a written statement. 

St. James Apartments and Townhomes is Genesis’ seventh affordable-housing development in Kent County and its second development on the West Side. DeStigter Architecture and Pioneer Construction maintained the character of St. James Catholic Church’s school building, built in 1922, and its exterior architecture.

The development features 36 one- and two-bedroom apartments and 16 new townhomes on the corner of First Street and Milwaukee Avenue. The school auditorium was converted into a large community room enhanced by the original stage and hardwood floor. In addition to achieving Gold LEED certification, St. James Apartments and Townhomes is Grand Rapids’ first affordable housing community with a rooftop solar array.

With the help of Colliers International|West Michigan’s Real Estate Development Incentive team, Genesis received a Low Income Housing Tax Credit reservation from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority in July of 2017.

The 52 new affordable apartments and townhomes will target Grand Rapids residents who earn 30 percent to 60 percent of the area medium income. Thirteen of the units will be reserved for persons with special needs. 

The project was made possible by the collaboration of Genesis, Pioneer Construction, DeStigter Architecture, Colliers International | West Michigan, Dwelling Place, MSHDA, the National Equity Fund and Grand Rapids Housing Commission.