Downtown Mason is home to the
Ingham County Housing Commission’s shining star: 24 rental housing units that have been remodeled under the
Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s Rental Rehab Program.
“The Mason properties are the model for the rest of the rehabilitation
projects in Grand Ledge, Leslie, Williamston and Eaton Rapids,” says
Bruce Johnston, executive director of the commission.
Capping off the Mason remodels—or as Johnston calls them, “gut
rehabs”—is a 1,400 square-foot, two-bedroom apartment overlooking
downtown Mason. It is a full-service home with brand new hardwood
floors. Footage of the new apartment can be seen
here.
“They are essentially brand new for the cost of average rent,” says Johnston.
They are also highly sought-after. The housing commission has been
renting properties in Mason for 10 years with an average occupancy rate
of 97 percent, Johnston says. In most cases, there is a waiting list of
applicants.
The housing commission manages funds from MSHDA and, as part of the
program, property owners fund at least 25 percent of the cost to
renovate the properties, while the program funds up to $35,000 per
unit. Without the funds to match, property owners have little incentive
to invest in renovations, says Johnston.
Source: Bob Johnston, Ingham County Housing Commission
Writer: Andy Balaskovitz
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