Building Change Through Housing Advocacy

LINC UP’s goal is to advance housing justice in Grand Rapids by addressing the root causes of the housing crisis and dismantling racial inequities in housing outcomes.

We fight to ensure every resident has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing—whether through rental options, homeownership opportunities, or supportive services.

People protesting, holding signs that read 'People Over Profit' and 'Senior Housing', with a crowd in the background.

Understanding the Housing Crisis in Kent County

| Homeownership Is Out of Reach

Entry-level home values in Kent County have soared by 126%, while worker wages only increased 26% from 2015 to 2022 . In no city or town in the county does the median wage cover the cost of an entry-level home.

Compounding the challenge, racial disparities persist: 76% of White households own homes, compared to just 34% of Black households—a 42-point gap

Line graph showing housing prices and median annual wages from 2001 to 2022. The red line indicates the price of entry-level homes, rising sharply after 2013, reaching $205,707 in 2022. The blue line indicates median annual wages, increasing slightly to $42,730 in 2022. The previous values in 2001 are $66,356 for housing prices and $27,480 for wages.

Source: https://housingkent.org/kpi1/

| renters are cost-burdened

Rent hikes have outpaced wage growth for years—rents increase nearly 4.7% annually, while wages lag at 2.2% . As a result, nearly 46% of renters in Kent County now pay more than 30% of their income on housing. Housing instability has become the norm for many families.

Line graph showing the decline in median wage compared to income needed from 2010 to 2022. The median wage was 18% above the income needed in 2010 and dropped to 11% below the income needed by 2022, crossing the affordability threshold.

Source: https://housingkent.org/kpi-2-dissolve-homelessness/

| homelessness is spiking

Housing unaffordability has led to sharp increases in homelessness: the 2023 Point-In-Time Count recorded 1,239 homeless individuals—a 35% increase over two years.

Racial disparities are also stark: Black residents are eight times more likely to experience homelessness, while Hispanic or Latino residents face double the rate compared to white residents.

Line graph showing the nightly homeless rate from 2018 to 2023, with separate data for Black Residents, Hispanic or Latino Residents, and White Residents. The graph indicates an increase in homelessness among Black Residents, with the highest rate of 8.9 per 1,000 in 2023.

Source: https://housingkent.org/kpi-3-eliminate-racial-disparities-in-housing-outcomes/

Learn more about the housing crisis
A protest march with people holding signs, some wearing masks, walking down a city street. A painted mural on a wall features a portrait of an individual and a quote about injustice. Police officers are standing near police vehicles in the street.

Why This Matters…

These aren’t just statistics—they reflect deep systemic inequities and highlight how our housing system is failing many Kent County residents:

  • Finding a first home has become unreachable for most workers.

  • Nonstop rent increases are pushing daily survival above quality of life.

  • Homelessness is increasingly visible, especially among communities of color.

These trends aren’t inevitable. They highlight the urgency—and opportunity—for policy change, investment, and community-driven solutions.

At LINC UP, we’re tackling the housing crisis from multiple angles.

We develop and preserve affordable rental housing, Support residents through our Homeownership Guidance, and advocate for stronger protections that keep families secure in their homes.

Beyond housing, we fight for policies and resources that address the root causes of displacement and homelessness—because safe, stable housing is a human right.

A crowd of people protesting in front of a government building with banners that say 'The rent is too damn high' during daytime.

real change takes
all of us.

We can’t fix this alone. Together, we can push for:

✅ More affordable housing investment

✅ Policy change at the state and local levels

✅ Stronger protections for renters and homeowners

✅ Greater support and resources for our houseless neighbors

4 Ways you can support:

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1) Join our community events and neighborhood forums, sign up for our Newsletter, and follow us on social media to stay informed and connected.

2) Speak up at City Hall and participate in civic engagement efforts where decisions are being made.

3) Support our Build Change campaign and other fundraising efforts that allow us to expand housing and community programs.

4) Volunteer or partner with LINC UP to strengthen the grassroots movement for housing justice.