Roofs to Roots Launches in Grand Rapids

On August 12, 2010, the Coalition to End Homelessness introduced service providers from the homeless system and other community partners to Roofs to Roots, the new identity under which the Coalition will now work. 

During the event, they shared the Coalition's progress to date, introduced attendees to Roofs to Roots and related tools, and released the Housing & Transportation Affordability Study.

Also shared were Roofs to Roots' focus on:

• Research and story gathering
• Listening and learning
• Planning and advocacy

And facts from the Housing & Transportation Study:

• In Grand Rapids, 48% of four-person households making $62,100 or less lack affordable housing.
• Affordable is the same for everyone. The standard is to only pay 30% of your income on housing, and 18% or less on Transportation.
• In Kent County, over 4,600 households are living doubled up. (Housing + Transportation Affordability Study, August 2010)

The Volunteer Center has been working with Roofs to Roots and our partners (The Johnson Center, GRACE, Well House, Habitat for Humantity, and Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Encore) to bring awareness to the many volunteer needs and to recruit experienced adults to fill those roles.

If you would like to support Roofs to Roots, pledge your commitment online or view the Roofs to Roots-related volunteer opportunities available on Volunteer Solutions (they are designated with a little green house).