Page 18 - Samaritas Our Hands Winter 2024

Affordable Living
Family Center Homeless Shelter
Temporary Emergency Food
Assistance Program

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Froebel School Renovation
The long-vacant Froebel School in Muskegon will soon become the latest entry of Samaritas Affordable Housing
offerings. Pictures and some content provided by Lynn Moore of Mlive.com
The school at 417 Jackson St. is the focus of efforts by the blight remediation grant for Froebel School,” provided to the city commission earlier. Ten units
Samaritas to develop affordable apartments there. Samaritas Executive Director of Affordable Housing would be reserved for members of the Little River
Development Joel Lautenbach said, “This significant Band of Ottawa Indians.
Muskegon Public Schools closed Froebel School 20 achievement marks a pivotal moment in our
years ago as a cost-saving measure amid declining commitment to preserving the rich historical Renovations of the school would include its 400-seat
enrollment. Froebel had served as an elementary significance of the school building. “Moreover, it lays auditorium, and plans call for the provision of such
school and later as a special education facility. the foundation for transforming the site into essential services as substance abuse misuse treatment, some
The 93-year-old Spanish mission style building has affordable housing.” physical and mental health services, financial literacy
been vacant ever since. It is now owned by the city. and homeownership classes and youth theater
Samaritas is seeking competitive low-income housing The grant should help Samaritas’ chances of getting activities.
tax credits to help finance its housing project at the tax credits because it makes the project more
Froebel. The federal program provides the credits to “viable,” Eckholm said. “This crucial funding will help the City of Muskegon
housing developers in exchange for keeping rents low. to preserve an architecturally significant and historic
Samaritas is expected to score more points in its tax building as we continue to pursue its redevelopment
Plans are for 46 apartments reserved for those earning credit application by including historic preservation of into much-needed affordable housing,” Muskegon
between 30% and 80% of the area median income. the building in its project. The city commission agreed Mayor Ken Johnson said in a prepared statement. “I
Samaritas submitted its application for the tax credits last year to sell the old school to Samaritas for $1,000 am excited by the prospect of this long-defunct site
needed for the project in October. – a sale that is contingent on Samaritas receiving the being revitalized as a community hub once again.”
tax credits.
Over the summer of 2024, the Muskegon County For more information about this exciting project, and
Land Bank secured a $1.4 million grant for blight Samaritas’ plans call for two studio apartments, to learn about other ways that you can become a part
remediation at the Froebel site, paving the way for the renting for as low as $241 per month, 37 one- of Samaritas’ affordable housing plans for the state
project to move forward. bedroom apartments with rents ranging from $244 to moving forward, contact Samaritas’ Chief Growth
$860 depending on the tenants’ incomes, and seven Officer, Kelli Dobner at Kelli.Dobner@samaritas.org
“We are thrilled that the Muskegon County Land two-bedroom apartments renting from $446 to just
Bank and City of Muskegon have successfully secured over $1,000 per month, according to information
Allen Manor to Get Facelift Courtesy of Mercantile Bank
Allen Manor Senior Housing is the grateful recipient of a Mercantile Bank sponsored Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis' Affordable Housing
Program grant which will support much needed building improvements and renovations. The work will ensure our residents are able to maintain
their housing and age in place. The $600,000 grant will make a significant difference in the appearance and safety of the building. The grant dollars
are joined by a $101,000 permanent loan from the Kent County Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Fund, via IFF and a
$10,000 donation from Mercantile Bank. Thank you, Mercantile Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, and IFF for
your generosity. We also thank Pinnacle Construction who will oversee the project.
Allen Manor has 24 units, serves those 62+ years of age, and was built in 1989, making the construction and upgrades
much anticipated. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2024.

Replacing bathtubs with a walk-in shower will provide an extra measure of safety for residents while
they go about their daily living activities. Modernized kitchens, additional upgrades to bathrooms,
upgraded lighting and additional comfortable outdoor space are included in the work to be completed.

Pinnacle Construction has been instrumental in helping to prepare Allen Manor residents for
construction. We look forward to continuing our work with Pinnacle and providing our residents with
an upgraded living space.