Kent County Community Action Newsletter - April 2025

Dear Community Members,

We are excited to announce the release of our 2024 Annual Report, highlighting the incredible work accomplished over the past year. As we continue in 2025, KCCA remains committed to serving the residents of Kent County by providing vital services that improve lives and transform communities.

This April, we celebrate Community Development Week and recognize the many projects our team has invested in across Kent County, including parks, sidewalks, affordable housing, and other community spaces. We are also proud to announce the launch of KLEAR, Kent County’s first lead reduction program. KLEAR will play a critical role in making our aging homes safer and healthier for all residents.

In May, we will honor Community Action Month, celebrating 60 years of dedicated programming that uplifts communities and builds economic stability for households in need. Additionally, we will join our State legislators in Lansing for Michigan Legislative Day. This annual event gives us an important opportunity to advocate for Kent County residents and to highlight the positive impact our programs have throughout the community.

Looking ahead, we are diving into strategic planning and are excited to shape the future of KCCA for the next five years. To make this process a success, we will be seeking input from our stakeholders — including residents, community partners, and staff — to help guide our vision and ensure our work continues to meet the evolving needs of the community with innovation, compassion, and excellence.  Stay tuned!

At KCCA, we are dedicated to delivering the highest level of service to the residents of Kent County.

Sincerely,
Kent County Community Action Director, Gustavo Perez

This past year was marked by uncertainty and challenges - but also by resilience, innovation, and growth. In 2024, we achieved several key milestones:

• Directly served over 10,000 families, including 1,700 seniors and 700 children
• Invested more than $1.4 million into community partners providing essential public services
• Successfully launched a lead reduction program prioritizing underserved communities in Kent County
• Provided over $6.6 million in financial assistance to stabilize households
• Offered over 13,000 rides to seniors
• Distributed over 113,000 food boxes to individuals and families in need

These accomplishments are more than just numbers—they represent real lives changed, meaningful progress made, and a future built with intention and care.

To read the full annual report, please visit here.

Our team is excited to be participating in the annual Michigan Community Action Legislative Day in Lansing on May 21st!

This event offers a valuable opportunity to engage in educational programming, celebrate the clients and volunteers of community action agencies across the state, and meet with legislators to discuss the vital work being done by KCCA and our partners throughout Michigan.

In anticipation of the annual grant awards from the HUD Office of Community Planning and Development, our team has identified four public infrastructure projects for 2025. We have initiated the planning process with local government officials and the required federal environmental reviews. This year’s projects include support for Byron Township to acquire necessary fire station equipment, assisting with development cost for a small park in the City of Grandville, partially funding street reconstruction in the City of Lowell, and aiding the Village of Kent City with a park improvements project. The estimated $2.1 million dollars in combined  project cost will be shared between the local governments and Kent County.

Our department will also be moving forward in the coming months with awarding $420,000 in support of local non-profit programing. These awards include a final compliance review and budget discussions. Supported programs begin July 1, 2025 and include services provided by the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan, Legal Aid of West Michigan, the Refugee Education Center, ICCF Community Homes, Home Repair Services of Kent County, and A Glimpse of Africa. Programs and services will be focused on assistance for households with income at or below the 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).  

In addition, our team has started project site environmental review for an 8-unit townhome project to be constructed by ICCF Nonprofit Housing Corporation in the City of Wyoming. This $2.6 million dollar affordable housing project will include nearly $1 million from Kent County’s HUD grants. Each of the 8 newly constructed 2-3 bedroom homes will provide a homeownership opportunity for household earning 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Applications are OPEN for the following utilities:

• Metered Water/Sewer for all residents of Kent County

Applications are CLOSED for the following:

• Rental/Mortgage arrears list
• Weatherization services
• Gas, electric, and deliverable fuels

  (Note: Applicants must have been approved for State Emergency Relief (SER) with the Department of Health and Human Services since October 1st.)

The first step to apply: call 616-632-7950 and follow the prompts to leave a voicemail on our assistance line. Please speak clearly, include your full name, address, and phone number in the message.

Please do not leave more than one message. This will only slow down the process.

Are you ready to roll up your sleeves, join forces, and be a part of something truly amazing?

Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or just eager to make a difference, we are looking for passionate volunteers to lend a hand in our emergency food programs, where you can pack and distribute essential resources to those in need.