GRAND RAPIDS -
Federal money is coming down to neighborhoods to help rehab foreclosed homes. The money is part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Programs.
Experts say one in five home in Kent County are in foreclosure. Some say the number of foreclosed homes reminds them of the 70's when vacant houses filled many neighborhoods.
"Out of 15 houses on each side of the block it would be common for us to see 10 or 12 out of the total of 30 vacant. Those were scary days when there was such abandonment and disinvestment in the city, " said Inner City Christian Federation Director Jonathan Bradford.
His group will receive $712,000 to buy and rehabilitate and resell eight homes. Kent County Habitat for Humanity will get $280,000.
Lighthouse Communities will get $820,000 for six houses in the Garfield Park neighborhood and to create a community center in the Madison Square area.
12 years ago, Steve Burgett opened his home improvement company in the Madison Square Neighborhood. He's located right next door to what will become the new community center. He's excited about the area's future.
"And the place over here has kind of been, you know, let run down since I've been here, and now its going to be really nice to see that space utilized," said Burgett.
Right now groups working to improve neighborhoods say governments are putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to foreclosures.
Organizations receiving the grant money say they hope to be able to rehab the foreclosed homes rather than demolish them.
Experts say one in five home in Kent County are in foreclosure. Some say the number of foreclosed homes reminds them of the 70's when vacant houses filled many neighborhoods.
"Out of 15 houses on each side of the block it would be common for us to see 10 or 12 out of the total of 30 vacant. Those were scary days when there was such abandonment and disinvestment in the city, " said Inner City Christian Federation Director Jonathan Bradford.
His group will receive $712,000 to buy and rehabilitate and resell eight homes. Kent County Habitat for Humanity will get $280,000.
Lighthouse Communities will get $820,000 for six houses in the Garfield Park neighborhood and to create a community center in the Madison Square area.
12 years ago, Steve Burgett opened his home improvement company in the Madison Square Neighborhood. He's located right next door to what will become the new community center. He's excited about the area's future.
"And the place over here has kind of been, you know, let run down since I've been here, and now its going to be really nice to see that space utilized," said Burgett.
Right now groups working to improve neighborhoods say governments are putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to foreclosures.
Organizations receiving the grant money say they hope to be able to rehab the foreclosed homes rather than demolish them.
