Housing assessment: Kent County needs about 33,400 units; planners urge infill, corridor strategy

Housing Next and the Greater Grand Rapids Chamber presented Kent County’s updated housing needs assessment to the Community Health & Safety Committee on Aug. 26, reporting a countywide shortfall the consultants estimated at about 33,400 housing units and urging a strategy that prioritizes infill on existing sewer and water corridors.

Ryan Kilpatrick of Housing Next said the assessment, performed for Kent County, found the county’s estimated housing need fell modestly since the prior update—from about 35,000 units to roughly 33,400—reflecting increased production but still leaving a substantial shortfall. Kilpatrick said the county needs a mix of housing: about 12,000 rental units and roughly 21,000 for‑sale units. In the city of Grand Rapids, Kilpatrick said the gap is roughly 14,000 units split about evenly between…