The Van Buren County Board meeting held on August 12, 2025, featured a significant discussion regarding a new housing rehabilitation grant opportunity. Lisa Rance, a representative involved in the application process, presented an urgent request to the board for approval to apply for a $400,000 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

Rance explained that the county had received an invitation to apply for the grant late Friday afternoon, following a letter of intent submitted in late June with assistance from MarketOne, a firm experienced in managing such grants. The board was informed that the application deadline for the designation memo is August 22, which necessitated expedited approval from the board.

The proposed grant would not require any matching funds, making it a valuable opportunity for the county. Rance highlighted that if the application is successful, it would contribute to a total of $1.2 million in housing rehabilitation funds available across the county, as other jurisdictions like Lawrence Township and Bangor have also been invited to apply.

Rance detailed the potential impact of the funding, stating that the combined resources from this grant, along with previous funding from the USDA and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, would amount to nearly $600,000 for housing rehabilitation efforts. This funding is expected to assist approximately 30 homes, with varying maximum amounts allocated per home based on the specific grant source.

The board's approval of the application is crucial for moving forward with this initiative, which aims to enhance housing conditions in the county. The meeting concluded with a sense of optimism regarding the potential benefits of the grant for local residents.