Countrywide Settlement
 In June, 2009, a total of $500,000 from Attorney General Mike Cox's Countrywide financial settlement was awarded to United Way to distribute funds to projects that are directed to “foreclosure relief/mitigation or related programs. “ A special community review committee was established by United Way to review projects for funding. The committee was particularly interested in seeing projects addressing the issues of homelessness, affordable housing and foreclosures.
In July, 2009, the committee allocated $231,567 to six agencies in Kent County with individual grants ranging from $25,800 to $64,493, for a period beginning September 1, 2009 through Aug 31, 2010. Emphasis was given to those who could show expected measureable impact on the foreclosure crisis in six months and at one year. United Way sent a bi-annual report on funding outcomes to Attorney General Mike Cox’s office in April, 2010.
For the second and final year of funding, the Countrywide Settlement Fund committee reconvened in June, 2010 to look at 6-month reports of 2009-funded applicants, and to request proposals for the second year. On July 29th, 2010, awards were granted for 2010-2011 to the following programs:
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- Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness - $60,000
- Creston Neighborhood Association - $25,000
- Healthy Homes - $15,000
- Home Repair Services - $50,000
- Inner City Christian Federation - $30,000
- Legal Aid of Western Michigan - $35.000
- Lighthouse Communities, Inc. - $40,000
A remainder of $13,433 is left from the settlement funds original total of $500,000. This amount has been set aside to specifically address tenant advocacy and education and will be awarded at a later date. Programs funded by the settlement funds address prevention, intervention, stabilization and reinvestment in Kent County’s distressed housing market and the effects of the current foreclosure crisis.
The United Way Countrywide Settlement committee, co-chaired by Lee Nelson Weber of the Dyer-Ives Foundation, and Bert Bleke, interim president of Heart of West Michigan United Way, is made up of a broad base representation of community leadership and experience in addressing housing issues. Committee composition includes members from foundations, government, neighborhood associations and other community organizations.
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