The NCCS

Center for Nonprofit Housing

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Center for Nonprofit Housing
4 West Oak Street
Fremont, MI 49412
Phone: (616) 924-0641
Fax: (616) 924-5594
Lindsay F. Hager, Director

Corporation's History:


The need for an organization to address housing issues in Newaygo County has existed for many years. In 1992, a concerted effort was made to develop such an organization for our County. The first Board of Directors assembled in December, 1993 to begin working to implement a vision of developing affordable housing for County residents.
The Board of Directors decided to name the corporation NCCS Center for Nonprofit Housing and to pursue incorporation and federal tax exemption as a private nonprofit corporation under that name. Funding was received from a local foundation for the Corporation's start-up activities. The Board recognized the need for secure funding in order to have the time to develop housing projects that will support the Corporation in the future.
Articles of Incorporation were filed with the State of Michigan in February, 1994 and federal tax exempt status was received by the Internal Revenue Service in May, 1994. The Board of Directors created a set of comprehensive goals during strategic planning sessions. These goals go beyond simply developing housing units to include consideration of how housing projects would impact the community. Corporate goals are listed below. On July 1, 1994, the corporation's first Director was hired to implement the vision and goals of the Board.

Corporate Mission Statement:


"To develop affordable housing in Newaygo County and its surrounding areas."

Corporate Goals:


Newaygo County's People:


  • Newaygo County's population rose by 9.4 percent between 1980 and 1990 to 38,202 people. This compares to a two percent increase in surrounding counties included in Region 14 and less than a one percent increase for the State of Michigan. Populations in Big Prairie, Croton and Ensley Townships each increased more than 25 percent.

  • Nearly 96 percent of county residents are white. Exceptions to this are Merrill Township, where 35 percent of residents are Black, and Ashland, Garfield, Grant City, Grant Township, and Troy Township, where at 4 to10 percent of residents are Hispanic.

  • Nearly 40 percent of County residents over 65 years of age are disabled, considerably higher than the surrounding Region (22 percent) and the State (19 percent).

  • Approximately 12 percent of the County's work force (ages 18-64) cannot work due to a disability. Median family income for Newaygo County is $26,601; for Michigan it is $36,652.

  • About 6,000 (13 percent) of Newaygo County residents are living below poverty level.

    Housing in Newaygo County:


    - Total housing units increased by 9.8 percent - from 18,306 to 20,105 units - between 1980 and 1990.
    - Approximately 26 percent of all housing units in Newaygo County are mobile homes.
    - Approximately 25 percent of all housing units in Newaygo County are seasonal.
    - An estimated 4,600 housing units (23 percent of total) are substandard or dilapidated and could be rehabilitated.
    - Nearly 400 units lack plumbing, 300 units lack kitchens and 3,620 units are at least 55 years old.
    - The percentage of rental housing units increased from 10 percent in 1980 to 12 percent in 1990.
    - Rental vacancy is around 6 percent, including seasonal housing units; 2 percent rental vacancy excluding seasonal housing units. This compares to 7 percent rental vacancy in Michigan.
    - Almost 4,000 housing units were built between 1980 and 1990, representing 20 percent of the - Newaygo County's 1990 housing stock. This compares to 2 percent of Michigan's homes that were built between 1980 and 1990.
    - Nearly 43 percent of all renters and 24 percent of all owners have a housing problem which is defined as (1) occupying housing lacking complete kitchen or bathroom, (2) overcrowded housing (more than one person per room in the home), and, (3) are spending more than 30 percent of their household income on housing expenses.

    Housing Affordability & Need


  • It takes an annual income of $18,000 to afford monthly mortgage payments for the average priced
  • ($34,000) home sold in Newaygo County in 1993 (assuming a family can save the $3,500 needed for down payment and closing costs).
  • About 3,160 County residents are paying greater than 30% of their income for housing, the maximum generally allowed by financial institutions.
  • There is a shortage of over 1,100 housing units affordable to households earning less than $7,980 per year and a shortage of nearly 650 housing units affordable to households earning less than $13,300 per year.
  • There is a need for an estimated 265 rental and 460 owner housing units based only on population subgroups (disabled, elderly, etc.) currently unable to obtain safe, decent, affordable housing.

    Newaygo County
    Population Subgroups and Housing Affordability
    NCCS Center for Nonprofit Housing

    Population Subgroups       Estimated Persons
    
Seasonal Ag. Workers                      650
Mentally Ill                            1,100
Developmentally Disabled                   64
Elderly                                 5,204
Homeless                                  102
Pregnant Teens                             35
Single Parent Household                 1,661
Working Poor                           12,463

    	
TOTAL SUBGROUPS*                       21,379

    	
TOTAL COUNTY POPULATION                38,202
    * Persons may be included in multiple categories.
    Source: NCCS Center for Nonprofit Housing, 1994.

    Maximum Housing Costs
    Based on Household Income

    Affordable Monthly Payments

Income Range       28% Owner        30% Renter

Under    $9,765       $228             $244 
$9,765 -$14,649       $342             $366
$14,650-$19,534       $456             $488
$19,535-$29,299       $684             $732
$29,300-$39,069       $912             $977
$39,070-$48,834     $1,139           $1,221
$48,835-$68,369     $1,595           $1,709
    Source: 1991 Housing in Kalamazoo County Study, p. 20.

    Housing Units Needed
    by Income Categories in Newaygo County
     

    Annual Income   Total Households   Total Affordable Units   Surplus(Deficit)

 $7,980               3,475               2,341                  (1,134)

$13,300               5,943               5,302                    (641) 

$21,208               7,073              10,485                    3,412
    Source: CHAS Databook, 1990