Meeting the Need Requires Urgency and Endurance

The lack of affordable houses and apartments in our area has become a real ordeal for individuals and families of all income levels. But for those whose incomes are limited, finding something decent and affordable has become a problem of crisis proportions!

Reasonably-priced suitable housing means so much more than a roof for the night, as essential as that is. It is also a key foundation for productive daily lives and a significant stake towards a secure and wholesome future for our families. Especially in today’s super-charged Grand Rapids housing market, ICCF Community Homes’ vision for equitable opportunity, affordable homes and thriving neighborhoods requires BOTH a sense of urgency AND an enduring long-term commitment.

The ICCF Homes & Hope Legacy Society is a group of donors who recognize the vital importance of this long-range timeframe. Most have been faithful ICCF donors for years, if not decades. And now they’ve chosen to extend that support into the future, typically by way of a bequest gift commitment in their will or estate plan.

To learn more about including a gift to ICCF Community Homes in your will in a way that is flexible, versatile and simple to accomplish, visit iccf.org/planned-gifts/gifts-in-a-will or contact Hank Kroondyk, ICCF Planned Giving Specialist, at hkroondyk@iccf.org.

"Safe and affordable housing is indispensable if individuals and families are to flourish. ICCF Community Homes has been a leader in this essential struggle for years, and that’s why we’ve gratefully supported its work and also provided for its future endeavors in our estate plan.”

LARRY & MARY GERBENS

Reaching Homeownership Goals

Buying a home is a big deal! ICCF Community Homes works with individuals and families to determine whether or not homeownership is an appropriate next step for them. In an effort to provide accessible education to households, ICCF teaches the Introduction to Homeownership class through Zoom webinars, in-person classes, and self-paced online modules.

This course covers homeownership readiness, credit and budgeting, choosing the right home, fair housing, purchase and closing processes, and more. Last year, 440 individuals completed a homebuyer education series either online or in-person with ICCF.

The ballroom was packed with energy and goodwill on March 16 for our annual Houses to Homes Gala. Our emcee, author and speaker Shannon Cohen, led us through an evening of encouragement and challenge. The Ebenezer Award was presented to three outstanding groups of dedicated ICCF supporters. Our CEO Ryan VerWys presented a compelling story of two families that ICCF has helped in the last year, along with the stark view of increased need for affordable housing in Kent County. Throughout the night, we were treated to music by the Edye Evans Hyde Quintet and guests had the chance to win door prizes and enjoy a wonderful meal. We are looking forward to next year’s gala, when ICCF Community Homes will celebrate our 50th anniversary! Thank you to all who attended, sponsored, and made this event so special.