West Michigan Communities Receive Nearly $4 Million in Federal Affordable Housing Grants
Six West Michigan communities including Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Holland, and Benton Harbor will receive nearly $4 million in federal affordable housing grants through CDBG and HOME funding announced by U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga.
# West Michigan Communities Receive Nearly $4 Million in Federal Affordable Housing Grants
By West Michigan State News
HOLLAND, Mich. — Six communities across southwest and west Michigan will receive federal funding to build affordable housing through appropriations legislation in 2026, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga announced on Monday.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development approved Community Development Block Grants totaling nearly $4 million for the communities. Rep. Huizenga represents Michigan's 2nd congressional district and has been instrumental in securing this funding for West Michigan.
Funding Breakdown
Kalamazoo will receive the largest share at $1,611,363 in CDBG funding. Battle Creek will receive $1,172,453. Holland will receive $347,365. Georgetown Charter Township will receive $245,163. Benton Harbor will receive $388,678. Portage will receive $208,331.
In addition to CDBG grants, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo will also receive funding through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. This program provides grants aimed at funding activities including building, buying and rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership, and providing direct rental assistance to low-income people.
CDBG Funding Recipients
- Battle Creek — $1,172,453
- Benton Harbor — $388,678
- Georgetown Charter Township — $245,163
- Holland — $347,365
- Kalamazoo — $1,611,363
- Portage — $208,331
HOME Funding Recipients
- Battle Creek — $238,167.87
- Kalamazoo — $491,270.56
State-Level Funding
The state of Michigan also directly received nearly $34 million in CDBG funding and over $15 million in HOME funding from the federal government. This broader allocation goes to dozens of communities across Michigan beyond the six West Michigan communities announced by Rep. Huizenga.
What This Means for Local Communities
"These investments will help improve housing affordability and housing availability for lower- and middle-income families across Southwest Michigan," Rep. Huizenga said.
CDBG grants are aimed at developing urban communities through improving housing and providing a better living environment. The funding supports new affordable housing construction and renovation projects in the recipient cities.
Rep. Huizenga expressed satisfaction with the Department of Housing and Urban Development under the leadership of Secretary Turner continuing to prioritize quality of life and improved housing options for Michiganders.
The Affordable Housing Crisis
Access to affordable housing remains a major challenge facing many Michigan communities, especially as housing costs continue to rise. These federal grants provide critical funding to help local governments address this need and create more housing options for low-income residents.
The HOME Investment Partnerships Program is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. This funding complements the CDBG grants by providing additional resources for rental assistance and housing development.
Broader Context
This funding announcement comes as Congress and the Biden Administration continue to prioritize housing affordability as a key economic issue. The federal government has been working to address housing shortages in communities across the country, with particular focus on rural and suburban areas.
West Michigan communities now receive their share of this federal investment through both direct allocations to the state and community-specific grants secured by Rep. Huizenga.
Sources:
- US Rep. Bill Huizenga announces federal affordable housing grants for Michigan communities, WZZM13, https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/us-rep-bill-huizenga-announces-federal-affordable-housing-grants-michigan-communities/69-0a0786da-ad60-49f7-a383-ad3787e47988
- Southwest, West Michigan Communities Receive Federal Affordable Housing Funds, Kalamazoo Today, https://nationaltoday.com/us/mi/kalamazoo/news/2026/04/15/southwest-west-michigan-communities-receive-federal-affordable-housing-funds/
- Several southwest, west Michigan communities getting federal money for affordable housing, WKZO, https://wkzo.com/2026/04/15/915536/
- Benton Harbor receiving nearly $400,000 in CDBG funding, 97.5 The Lake, https://www.qualityrock975thelake.com/2026/04/19/benton-harbor-receiving-nearly-400000-in-cdbg-funding/
Sources
AI-assisted reporting