Affordable, or attainable, housing continues to be a growing concern in Michigan communities, especially as housing and rental prices continue to rise.

The median home value in Michigan has increased by 6.8 percent within the past year and Zillow estimates home values will continue to rise 8.9 percent through 2019. As for renters, the median rent in our state is currently at $1,101 per month.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s data shows an individual would need to earn nearly $17 an hour in a full-time position to afford a two-bedroom rental home in Michigan. That means someone earning minimum wage would need to work 73 hours in one week to afford such a rental.

As CMF has reported, 25 percent of Michigan’s households that are working, live above the federal poverty line therefore often aren’t eligible for aid yet still can’t afford the basics such as housing. Those individuals are considered ALICE (asset limited, income constrained, employed).

The most recent data from the Michigan Association of United Way ALICE Report shows over the past decade, there’s been a 14 percent increase in basic monthly housing costs for Michigan’s ALICE households.

Frey Foundation, a CMF member, is currently seeking innovative ideas to relieve the cost burden of housing for ALICE families in Kent County.

The foundation is hosting an open call for ideas from an agency or partnership that has an innovative, actionable plan, concept or collaboration that can reduce the number of ALICE families spending more than 30 percent of their monthly income on housing.

“I think when we look at all of the great things going on in Grand Rapids and all of the amazing investment downtown and in Kent County, it’s up to us to make sure our ALICE population is able to be a more active participant in the community at all levels,” Holly Johnson, president, Frey Foundation told the Grand Rapids Business Journal (GRBJ).

The foundation shared that 25 percent of Kent County’s population is considered ALICE.

Lynne Ferrell, program director, Frey Foundation and CMF board trustee, shared with GRBJ some of the challenges facing ALICE families.

“Low supply and high housing costs are just the start,” Ferrell said. “Beyond basic supply and demand, stagnant wages, illness or unanticipated household expenses can hinder a family’s ability to afford rent or a mortgage payment. This can snowball into an eviction or damaged credit and present an entirely new set of challenges.”

The foundation is accepting Call for Housing Innovation proposals until October 29; the selected idea will be announced by the end of the year.

Also in Grand Rapids, MLive reports the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Wege Foundation are supporting the Harrison Park apartments development on Grand Rapids’ west side.

The apartments will be reserved for those who make 60 percent of the area’s median income and give priority to families whose children are in the Challenge Scholars program, which provides free college for students living on the city’s west side. This is an effort to ensure families who may benefit from the community foundation’s Challenge Scholars program aren’t priced out of the neighborhood due to rising rent.

Last week, WOOD-TV reported that the Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) purchased 28 properties in the Grand Rapids area, in addition to the 177 it bought last year, reserving them for affordable housing and to promote neighborhood stabilization. The most recent purchase was supported by the Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation.

However, lack of affordable housing isn’t unique to Grand Rapids; it’s an issue in communities statewide and Michigan philanthropy continues to seek solutions.