News Summary
Kentwood is addressing its housing shortage with two new residential projects, Walnut Woods and Hope Haven, which will provide a total of 123 homes. Walnut Woods will feature 61 lots, while Hope Haven will comprise 62 country-style homes. These developments aim to meet Kent County’s demand for housing amidst a significant housing crisis, reflecting a broader initiative to improve local infrastructure and living conditions.
Kentwood is set to see significant growth in its housing availability with two new residential developments, Walnut Woods and Hope Haven, aimed at addressing the housing shortage affecting the Kent County area.
The Walnut Woods development is being constructed on 29 acres at 5632 Wing Ave. SE, featuring 61 buildable lots. This location is strategically situated near major thoroughfares including 52nd Street, Broadmoor Avenue, and M-6, making it accessible for future residents. The project is targeted towards buyers interested in building their own homes.
Meanwhile, the Hope Haven project, spearheaded by Spencer and Carson Galloway of Excel Excavation Group LLC, is under development on over 31 acres at the southeast corner of 52nd Street and Wing Avenue SE. Initially planned for 57 homes, a redesign based on a recent traffic study has increased the project size to include 62 single-family “country-style” homes.
The Galloways purchased four parcels totaling approximately 29 acres for $1.86 million to initiate the Hope Haven development. The project is expected to feature homes with country-style architectural elements, such as gabled roofs and natural stone accents. Lot prices for both developments are anticipated to range from $400,000 to $700,000.
These residential initiatives are part of a broader effort to tackle the estimated demand for approximately 31,000 new housing units in Kent County, which is grappling with a housing crisis. In addition to Walnut Woods and Hope Haven, another project called Breton Ravines is being developed by Allen Edwin Homes on 66 acres in Kentwood, intending to build 216 units that will include both detached homes and townhomes.
The Breton Ravines project also includes a rental phase with 69 units, designed to leverage brownfield tax increment financing for necessary infrastructure enhancements like extending Breton Avenue. The rental units are expected to be priced at around $2,700 per month, while homes for sale are projected to range from the mid-$300,000s to mid-$400,000s.
This multifaceted development approach reflects a concerted effort by local developers and authorities to meet the housing demands amid a recognized shortage of attainable housing options within Kentwood and the broader Kent County region. The introduction of these diverse residential projects aims not only to provide new housing solutions but also to improve the overall community infrastructure and livability for current and future residents.
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Additional Resources
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: Kentwood Housing Project
- Free Press: Kentwood Housing Hot Spots
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: Kentwood Plan for Country-Style Homes
- Google Search: Kentwood housing shortage
- MLive: New Country-Style Development
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing
