Former convent to be Grand Rapids' first permanent housing for singles escaping domestic violence

The former St. James Catholic Church convent is on its way to becoming Bridge Street Place, Grand Rapids' first permanent transitional housing for singles escaping domestic violence.

Dwelling Place purchased the property at 761 Bridge in July after leasing it for 15 years as transitional housing for single women. The building's 21 single rooms with shared baths, a common kitchen and a shared living room will soon be 16 one-bedroom apartments.

"This is a new program that has not been done in Grand Rapids before," says Jarrett DeWyse, director of housing development. "The YWCA is the premier support agency for domestic violence victims and has accommodations for women with children, but there is a great need in our community for housing for single domestic violence survivors."

The apartments are categorized as permanent housing because there is no time limit for how long someone can live there – tenants only need to make their lease payments and meet certain lease criteria.

Rent runs $583 per month, but through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's rental assistance program tenants pay only 30 percent of their income.

Optional support services will be available to tenants, including counseling, job skills training, employment services, transportation and English as a second language classes.

The building will have secure card key access and 24-hour surveillance. DeWyse says tenants feel safer knowing only certain people can get in the building.

"We're working with a budget of $3.2 million (for the renovation)," DeWyse says. "We're using low income housing tax credits administered through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and the sale of those tax credits pays for about 50 percent of the development."

J. LaPorte & Associates P.C., is the architect. Rockford Construction is the construction manager.

Source: Jarrett DeWyse, Dwelling Place

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].