Calder sculpture 'La Grande Vitesse'

December 14 Housing Commission Meeting

The next Grand Rapids Housing Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 14, at 6:00 p.m. at the Campau Commons Community Center located at 821 South Division Avenue (Division at Franklin Street). Face masks and social distancing will be required. A public comment period is available at the beginning of each Housing Commission meeting.

The Housing Commission meeting will also be accessible virtually. The meeting agenda and a link to the meeting will be posted here on Monday, December 13.

GRHC Seeks Resident to Serve on Governing Board

The GRHC invites residents of our housing programs to apply to join the volunteer board that oversees our programs and services. Applications to fill one resident seat on the Grand Rapids Housing Commission governing board will be accepted until the vacancy is filled.

The Housing Commission meets on the third Tuesday evening of each month at the Campau Commons Community Center located at 821 South Division Avenue (Division at Franklin).

Apply to serve on the Housing Commission board as a Resident Member

View recent meeting minutes

GRHC Governing & Advisory Boards

The Grand Rapids Housing Commission is governed by a five-member board appointed by the Grand Rapids City Manager and approved by the City Commission. These talented and dedicated community volunteers oversee our efforts and help ensure the continuing success of our affordable housing programs.

Housing Commission Members
  • Bobbie Butler, President
  • Monica Steimle-App, Vice President
  • Patrick Miles Sr., Commissioner
  • Betty Zylstra, Commissioner

Grand Rapids Housing Commission meetings are held monthly at 6:00 p.m. and are open to the public. Meetings are temporarily being conducted virtually. A link to the meeting will be available on this page on the meeting date.

A meeting agenda is posted here the Friday before each meeting.

2021 Meeting Dates
  • January 19
  • February 16
  • March 16
  • April 20
  • May 18
  • June 15
  • No July Meeting
  • August 17
  • September 21
  • October 19
  • November 16
  • December 14

The agenda for each Grand Rapids Housing Commission meeting is posted here the Monday before each meeting.

Click the links below to view summaries of recent Housing Commission meetings.

Recent Meeting Minutes

The Resident Advisory Board meet several times a year to help review and refine policies and practices so that we can more effectively meet the needs of the families we serve.

Resident Advisory Board Members
  • Martha Dove
  • Ellen Fitzgerald
  • Barbara Jones
  • Jo Ann Morris
  • Yesica Robinson
  • Leonard Webster
  • Virgie Young

The GRHC works with Wyoming Housing Commission, Kent Community Action and numerous businesses and community organizations to administer a Family Self-Sufficiency Program that empowers low-income households to build a financial “nest egg” when a change in income increases the family’s portion of monthly rent.

FSS Coordinating Committee Members
  • Vanessa Amon, West Michigan Works
  • Deborah Conley, Michigan Family Resources
  • Yolanda Duncan, Grand Rapids Community College
  • John Gill, West Michigan Works
  • Stephanie Gingerich, LINC Community Revitalization
  • Pamela Houtteman, Goodwill Industries
  • Kathleen Papke, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Samantha Rose, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Kathleen Russo, Chemical Bank
  • Megan Seely, Goodwill Industries
  • Berniz Terpstra, Inner City Christian Federation
  • GRHC Representatives
  • Jenn Boerman, Resident Services Manager
  • Wanda Couch, Lead Resident Services Specialist
  • Maria Lara, Resident Services Specialist
  • Wyoming Housing Commission Representatives
  • Rebeca Venema, Executive Director
  • Myra Iacovoni, FSS/Section 8 Coordinator
  • Kent Community Action Representatives
  • Noelia Garcia, FSS/Section 8 Coordinator
  • Emily Stroka, FSS/Section 8 Coordinator

Provides oversight of the administration of Adams Park Apartments, a 188-unit development that serves disabled adults and seniors ages 62 or older.

Board Members
  • Victor Vasquez Jr., President
  • Ellen James, Treasurer
  • Daniel Oglesby, Secretary
  • Betty Zylstra

Provides oversight of the administration of Creston Plaza Apartments, a 100-unit development that serves families, seniors and people who have disabilities.

Board Members
  • Ellen James, President
  • Betty Zylstra, Treasurer
  • Melvin Fox, Secretary

Provides oversight of the administration of our Scattered Sites program, which serves families, seniors and people who have disabilities; includes 20 duplex units and 23 rent-to-own homes.

Board Members
  • Ellen James, President
  • Betty Zylstra, Treasurer
  • Melvin Fox, Secretary

Provides oversight of the administration of Hope Community Rapid Re-Housing program, which serves homeless women and their minor children.

Board Members
  • Douglas Dozeman, President
  • Jamie Ladd, Vice President

Provides oversight of the administration of Leonard Terrace Apartments, a senior community that serves ages 55 and older.

Board Members
  • Patrick Miles Sr., President
  • Thomas Appel

Provides oversight of the administration of Mount Mercy Apartments and Sheldon Apartments, senior communities that serve ages 55 and older, and Campau Commons Apartments, a family development that also serves seniors and people with disabilities.

Board Members
  • Ellen James, President
  • Betty Zylstra, Treasurer
  • Melvin Fox, Secretary
  • Daniel Oglesby
  • Victor Vasquez Jr.

Provides oversight of the administration of Mount Mercy Apartments, a senior community that serves ages 55 and older.

Board Members
  • Ellen James, President
  • Betty Zylstra, Treasurer
  • Melvin Fox, Secretary

Provides oversight of the administration of Ransom Tower Apartments, a senior community that serves ages 62 and older.

Board Members
  • Monica Steimle-App, Treasurer
  • Maureen Slade, Secretary
  • Jay Connor