April 15, 2024– Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. (Woda Cooper) and Cherry Health are pleased to announce that Michigan State Housing Development Authority has awarded housing tax credits to Shea Ravines, a new $18.2 million 56-unit affordable housing community with 20 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units in Wyoming, Michigan. Woda Cooper has developed 41 affordable communities in Michigan since 2005 with this being the first development in partnership with Cherry Health. Shea Ravines is located at 2929 Burlingame Avenue SW, adjacent to Cherry Health’s Wyoming Community Health Center.
“Housing instability is a critical social determinant of health,” said Tasha Blackmon, President and CEO, Cherry Health, Heart of the City Health Center. “Shea Ravines will offer an option for people who have struggled to find suitable affordable housing, including some of the most vulnerable and cost-burdened individuals and families in our community.”
Shea Ravines will be a modern, high quality, and energy-efficient four-story building with an elevator. It will provide one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments for singles, families, and seniors who earn up to 80% area median income, with 20 units designated as PSH units to offer housing combined with wrap-around services for residents who are overcoming the challenges of homelessness. All units will feature contemporary design with quality finishes and energy-efficient appliances including dishwashers. There will be a host of community amenities including a multipurpose room, playground, and bike storage. The building is expected to be certified LEED Zero Energy by the US Green Building Council.
The partnership between Woda Cooper and Cherry Health will enhance the lives of Shea Ravines residents by combining housing and health care, according to David Cooper, Jr., President of Woda Cooper. “Cherry Health has built an excellent reputation throughout the state of Michigan for providing quality dental and medical services, and we are very excited that our residents will have access to affordable, quality housing and affordable, quality health care at one location.”
The neighborhood surrounding Shea Ravines offers excellent access to a host of community businesses and amenities via walking, biking or driving. Within just a short distance, there are many employment opportunities, retail stores and restaurants, the high school and ball fields, churches, parks, and other community amenities.
The twenty PSH units at Shea Ravines will support residents who have experienced homelessness and those with disabilities. The Grand Rapids Housing Commission has awarded project based rental assistance vouchers to support these units and Community Rebuilders will serve as the lead service agency to coordinate supportive services to assist these residents in achieving greater self-sufficiency.
Architect for Shea Ravines is being performed by Hooker DeJong, Inc. with general contracting by Woda Construction, Inc. Leasing and property management will be performed by Woda Management & Real Estate, LLC. For more information, call 614-396-3200 or visit www.wodagroup.com.
About the Collaborators
Cherry Health is Michigan’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). It operates in six counties across the state, is based in Grand Rapids. With a team of more than 800 health care professionals at 20 locations, Cherry Health focuses on removing barriers, expanding access, and delivering comprehensive quality health care services to underserved communities, regardless of an individual’s insurance status or ability to pay. Cherry Health provides primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy services, and more. Cherry Health is proud to be a national health center quality leader. In 2023, it received a Gold Level Health Center Quality Leader Award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), representing performance in the top 10% of community health centers nationwide.
Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. and its affiliates specialize in the development, design, construction, and management of high-quality affordable multi-family communities, senior communities, and single-family homes. The company was founded in 1990 and now has operations in 17 states and a portfolio of 330 communities and 16,000 units operating or under construction. Green building is standard with certifications including Passive House, Zero Energy Ready Homes, LEED, Enterprise Green, EarthCraft, and ENERGY STAR. Woda Cooper Companies has offices in Savannah, GA; Indianapolis, IN; Shelbyville, KY; Queenstown, MD; Mackinaw City, MI; Columbus, OH; and Norfolk, VA. Affordable Housing Finance magazine ranked Woda Cooper Companies 7th in nation among Developers and 21st among Owners in 2023.
