Organization

The Center relies upon a combination of resources to carry out its program objectives. It currently employs a six-person staff, and benefits from the services of committed volunteers and a pool of more than 75 trained housing testers. The Board of Directors, its legally empowered governing body, is composed of representatives of housing and civil rights advocacy groups, community organizations, private industry, educational institutions, legal and housing professions, and local human service agencies. The Board and staff recently completed an environmental scan and a five-year strategic plan, updating the Center's goals, vision and mission. Click here to see our 2009 Annual Report.

VISION STATEMENT:
The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan recognizes the importance of "home" as a component of the American dream. The Fair Housing Center envisions our community free of housing discrimination where equal housing opportunity, access, and choice are enjoyed by all. The Fair Housing Center will be a leading, visible force in preventing and correcting discriminatory practices.

MISSION STATEMENT:
The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan's mission is to eliminate practices of housing discrimination and promote diverse, open communities through education and advocacy.

HISTORY:
From its beginning, the Fair Housing Center has been concerned with education and outreach as well as enforcement of the federal, state and local laws. The story of the FHC’s origin is rather unique. Like most metropolitan areas in the 1970’s, Grand Rapids experienced a tremendous amount of “white flight” to the suburbs. As a result, the racial and ethnic composition of many neighborhoods and subsequently, the schools changed. The Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) recognized the need to integrate their schools. When deciding on a strategy, they concluded that instead of using busing to accomplish this end which was being tried without much success in other communities, the GRPS would focus on integrating the neighborhoods thereby integrating the schools.

A committee was formed with representatives from GRPS, Grand Rapids Junior College, Southeast End Neighborhood Association, and the Cities of Grand Rapids and Kentwood. In 1979, the group visited the Fair Housing Center in Detroit. They met with the Board, Executive Director and staff, borrowed and adapted their by-laws and method of operations and began work to set up a similar center in Grand Rapids. Using $1,500 “seed money” from the Dyer –Ives Foundation, the Fair Housing Center of Greater Grand Rapids, was incorporated on September 4, 1980 to: “support and encourage equal opportunities in the Greater Grand Rapids area. In this connection, the Center will provide assistance to individuals pursuing legal rights and remedies related to fair housing, offer housing assistance and counseling, provide community education, promote community involvement, perform research in the area of housing, and promote good working relations with other housing agencies.” From various locations and with a staff of three or less for the past 25 years, the Fair Housing Center has put forth great effort to ensure equal access to housing for all citizens in our service area. In its first year of existence, the Center conducted 130 tests at 105 locations and investigated 21 complaints from area homeseekers. From that point FHC never looked back.

Find out about our
Annual Fair Housing Luncheon & Workshop Series

20 Hall Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Tel: (616) 451-2980, Toll Free: 1-866-389-FAIR
Fax: (616) 451-2657 email: contact-us@fhcwm.org