News Summary
Residents of South Haven are invited to participate in community engagement sessions focused on the development of the Overton Property into affordable housing. Organized by the Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids and the City of South Haven, these meetings aim to gather feedback from residents regarding design plans for the 5.5-acre site. Scheduled sessions will take place at the Northside Marina Clubhouse, emphasizing resident participation to address the pressing need for affordable housing in the area.
South Haven residents are invited to participate in a series of community engagement sessions aimed at shaping the proposed development of the Overton Property into affordable housing. The Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids, in collaboration with the City of South Haven, has organized these meetings in response to a reported shortage of affordable housing in the area. The initiative outlines plans for a 5.5-acre site located at 229 Elkenburg Street, which is expected to include an apartment building, duplexes, and single-family homes.
The community engagement sessions are designed to gather feedback from local residents to help shape the design of the proposed project. The city has been working closely with the Dwelling Place over the past several months to ensure that community input is integrated into the development plans. Meetings will take place at the Northside Marina Clubhouse, located at 148 Black River Street, South Haven, MI 49090. Residents are encouraged to attend either the afternoon or evening sessions, which are scheduled as follows:
- October 20: Community Asset Mapping and Design Feedback
- November 3: Building and Home Design Feedback
- November 17: Final Design and Next Steps
The afternoon sessions will run from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, while evening sessions are scheduled from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Each session is designed to accommodate a variety of schedules to ensure maximum resident participation.
As affordable housing remains a pressing issue in South Haven, this project aims to address significant community needs by providing diverse housing options. Reports indicate that many residents are struggling to find affordable places to live in the region, prompting local officials to prioritize this development as a key initiative. Future stories will delve into the personal experiences of those facing challenges in securing affordable housing in the area, helping to highlight the urgency behind the upcoming engagement sessions.
The involvement of local residents is crucial as the community seeks to balance development with the needs of its citizens. Those attending the sessions will have the opportunity to express their views and contribute ideas that could shape the final design and function of the housing project.
With the planned engagement sessions, the City of South Haven and the Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids hope to foster a collaborative environment where local input leads to improved living conditions and a more inclusive approach to housing development. The sessions promise to be an excellent opportunity for community members to play a direct role in an initiative that could enhance the quality of life in their neighborhood.
For more information about the community engagement sessions, residents can reach out to the City of South Haven or the Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids, who are eager to hear from the voices of the community as this important housing project moves forward.
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Additional Resources
- WSJM: South Haven Residents Invited to Offer Input on Overton Plans
- WOOD TV: South Haven Eyes Affordable Housing
- WSJM: South Haven Plans Listening Sessions on Overton Development
- Google Search: Affordable Housing South Haven
- Wikipedia: Affordable Housing

Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.