GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Sometime in the next week, a new, small home will hit the market in southeast Grand Rapids and people who live nearby already have the opportunity to put in their offers. That’s by design, meant to help people who can’t imagine they could afford a brand new home realize the dream.
Both Bill and his wife Miriam Papke have worked together on building two new homes in the 49507 zip code. They are smaller than 1,000 square feet, less than $160,000 and built to last with an energy-efficient design.
Working closely with the Papkes on the project, was Ron Jimmerson of Seeds of Promise in Grand Rapids. Jimmerson's role was letting them know about vacant lots in the city. He has a vested interest making those lots into something for the future. The Seeds of Promise organization is focused on helping people overcome systemic racism that has kept people of color from accumulating wealth, among other things. Home ownership is a big piece of that puzzle.
The Papkes said the first home sold as part of their pilot project is on Crawford Street. It’s a three-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage-style home with energy-efficient appliances. They opened it up to offers from people who live in the area first and though there was interest, they didn’t get any local offers.
A young, single man who is moving to Grand Rapids from the east side of the state after accepting a cybersecurity job with Spartan Nash, ended up buying the home. Eddie White said he never imagined he could own a brand new home
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