It is a beautiful and cold afternoon in downtown Grand Rapids today. We head into 2018 with some Michigan Bills that affect Real Estate Investors, Landlords and Veterans. Veterans. The Michigan Legislature is pushing hard to protect those who have served our country. Yesterday MLive posted that the Michigan Legislature is taking up some 50 billsContinue reading “Legal Update: Legislation that Real Estate Investors, Landlords and Veterans Should Keep Tabs on in the New Year.”
Tag Archives: affordable housing
Grand Rapids Combats Affordable Housing Crisis – Eviction Prevention Program
Updated: I posted a few years back about Kent County’s Eviction Prevention Program. I just saw this article about Muskegon’s Eviction Prevention Program. Check it out. It is good news to hear that there this program is achieving some success, keeping people out of homelessness. There is definitely more work to be done… You knowContinue reading “Grand Rapids Combats Affordable Housing Crisis – Eviction Prevention Program”
Today I was confronted with the Need For Affordable Housing in Grand Rapids.
Today I did what I routinely do on Thursdays around noon time – I visited the school where I mentor a student. I walked to the classroom and talked with his teacher who told me that this student was no longer enrolled in the school. Just like that, a relationship that I had developed overContinue reading “Today I was confronted with the Need For Affordable Housing in Grand Rapids.”
Real Estate Investors and Property Managers – 2020 Update on the “Bed Bug Bill”
****Updated January 21, 2020**** Today RPOA Michigan reported that Grand Rapids, Michigan 18th on the List of Top 50 Bed Bug Cities. This is not a good list to be on. Every year for the last few years, I’ve reported on legislation introduced to address the allocation of responsibility for bed bug and other infestationsContinue reading “Real Estate Investors and Property Managers – 2020 Update on the “Bed Bug Bill””
Real Estate Investors & Property Managers Should Avoid These Pitfalls: DOJ and Landlord Settle Allegations of Family Discrimination.
I’ve said it before, owning and managing real estate is challenging. Particularly residential real estate. I hear it from my Property Owner and Property Manager clients. I experience it when I am involved in negotiating in landlord/tenant disputes. Some of the pitfalls property owners have to watch out for are illustrated in a Wednesday, September 6 DepartmentContinue reading “Real Estate Investors & Property Managers Should Avoid These Pitfalls: DOJ and Landlord Settle Allegations of Family Discrimination.”
Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores: Update on The Urban Food Initiative.
Yesterday I read a story about a Detroiter, Raphael Wright who plans on opening a “mission-driven supermarket” in downtown Detroit. Check out the article on NextCity. Raphael’s idea is sparked by a much needed grocery option in Detroit- particularly for low-income residents. I love this idea. A few years back I took my family toContinue reading “Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores: Update on The Urban Food Initiative.”
More Updates on Michigan’s Affordable Housing Crisis
Today is a beautiful day in downtown Grand Rapids. The photo below actually from yesterday. There is something about the sun that just puts me in a good mood. A few days ago I did not have a sunny disposition. I was in court during a landlord/tenant docket. I’ll be honest – it was a depressing scene. ManyContinue reading “More Updates on Michigan’s Affordable Housing Crisis”
Recent Michigan House Bill Would Repeal Prohibition on Rent Control – A Response to the Affordable Housing Crisis?
On March 30, 2017 House Bill 4456 was introduced. The Bill would repeal Michigan’s prohibition on Rent Control. The Bill was presumably proposed in response to the affordable housing crisis in Michigan and all across the United States. Other local governments across the U.S. are exploring legislative avenues to address the housing crisis. According toContinue reading “Recent Michigan House Bill Would Repeal Prohibition on Rent Control – A Response to the Affordable Housing Crisis?”
Reflections from the Past-Board Chair at Mel Trotter Ministries.
On Wednesday my year-long term as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mel Trotter Ministries came to an end. It truly has been my honor to serve. As I reflect on my year of service, I wanted to share a few thoughts. Who was Mel Trotter? On Tuesdays throughout the year, Mel Trotter MinistriesContinue reading “Reflections from the Past-Board Chair at Mel Trotter Ministries.”
Fintech Update: Disruption for Good. The OCC’s Remarks Yesterday to Fintech Innovators at LendIt USA in New York
Yesterday, Thomas J. Curry, Comptroller of the Currency gave remarks about Fintech Innovation at LendIT USA (The Worlds Biggest Show in Lending and Fintech) Conference in New York. You can read Mr. Curry’s remarks here. Mr. Curry praised the innovative Fintech Companies who “have fueled healthy competition to modernize and improve how the nation’s financial services needsContinue reading “Fintech Update: Disruption for Good. The OCC’s Remarks Yesterday to Fintech Innovators at LendIt USA in New York”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 