Attainable and Desirable Housing for All
Safe, attainable, and affordable housing is a key pillar to a healthy, vibrant community. A stable housing inventory is critical to its economic well-being. When housing expenses are more than 30% of a family’s income, it impacts their ability to afford basic needs. Barry County rent expense as a share of average household income ranks near the top third in Michigan; that means almost 70% of other Michigan counties have more affordable housing compared to our community.
The desire to attract and retain younger families, couples, and give options to an increasing population of retirees, creates additional need for more diverse housing. As senior citizens begin to retire in greater numbers, many want to consider more economical and efficient living spaces, such as an apartment in a walkable location. This migration frees up single-family homes as those needs increase in our community.
We have been involved in a variety of projects that creatively address the need for a variety of attainable housing options in Barry County. The Village Flats in Nashville opened in early 2025, boasting 20 units in a reimagined former school building originally built in 1935. Other projects that have received support from the Foundation are the Tyden Lofts in Hastings and the Hastings Riverwalk Lofts. With generous support from our community, portions of the apartments in Tyden Lofts are offered at an attainable price for the workforce of our county. Single family homes are also in high demand, so BCF is building two-bedroom homes called “Shuffle Houses” – as they are all on one level, with no elevation changes – perfect to “shuffle” from room to room.
Our newest single-family homes are a part of the Barry County HOMES: Home Ownership Made Easy and Sustainable program. This program utilizes deed restrictions to keep houses affordable long-term, while still allowing homeowners to build equity. This program is run collaboratively with the Barry County United Way. For more information on the Barry County HOMES program, please see our program description, or apply to buy one of our homes here.
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