Give the Gift of Home
The Game of LIFE in the Real World
Each person’s life takes twists and turns, just like that board game we played as kids, “The Game of LIFE.” Safe, stable, and affordable housing can be one of life’s biggest challenges. This Advent calendar highlights specific barriers that can lead to housing instability or keep first time homebuyers from reaching their goal. Their journey to find a place to call home is not a game, but a real life experience.
We count it a privilege to walk alongside neighbors, like Claudia, wherever they are on the board. From sheltering families experiencing homelessness to providing financial literacy classes and building affordable homes, we provide tools to help people reach their housing goals. Walk with us and meet the people, spaces, and solutions that help families find their way to “home.”
Day 25’s Challenge
No Place to Call Home
For 50 years, ICCF Community Homes has pursued equitable opportunity, affordable homes, and thriving neighborhoods. Thank you for helping us give the gift of home to neighbors this Advent season!
Day 24’s Challenge
Disconnected
Church or business not invested in neighborhood wellbeing
How We Help
A variety of volunteer opportunities allows local businesses, churches, and organizations to learn about and show love to their community.
Day 23’s Challenge
Long Waiting Lists
Few quick options for shelter or affordable housing
How We Help
Programs like Rapid Rehousing provide quick relief to families experiencing a housing crisis and connect neighbors to local resources.
Day 22’s Challenge
Overwhelmed
The housing crisis feels too big to fix
How We Help
The saying “many hands make light work” comes to life as we enlist the help of hundreds of volunteers to help beautify, maintain, and build affordable homes.
Day 21’s Challenge
Remote Landlords
Leading to poor rental conditions
How We Help
With the Community Homes Initiative and other purchases, we actively reclaim homes from out-of-state investors and provide local, engaged management.
Day 20’s Challenge
Chronic Homelessness
Long-term effects, discouragement
How We Help
Programs like Permanent Supportive Housing walk alongside families to help counteract the long-term effects of chronic homelessness and reach stable housing.
Day 19’s Challenge
Vacant Lots
Few livable houses
How We Help
We utilize formerly vacant spaces to create more housing opportunities with homes that complement the existing neighborhood.
Day 18’s Challenge
Huge Closing Costs
Home down payment is too costly
How We Help
Qualifying homebuyers can take advantage of resources like our match savings program so that closing costs are not a barrier to homeownership.
Day 17’s Challenge
No Generational Wealth
Inequitable wealth transfer over generations
How We Help
By assisting first-time homebuyers, we help change family trees and unlock the power of generational wealth as homes are passed down.
Day 16’s Challenge
Lack of Support
Housing stability is only one issue of many
How We Help
Recognizing that housing instability is only one of many challenges that people may face, we connect neighbors to local resources for assistance with food, clothing, utilities, transportation, and more.
Day 15’s Challenge
Cheap Housing
Poor construction doesn’t reflect resident’s dignity
How We Help
With beauty as a core value, we renovate and construct homes that reflect the dignity of the residents inside them.
Day 14’s Challenge
Redlining
Historic inequity excludes homeowners of color
How We Help
Acknowledging the long-lasting effects of historic and current inequity, we provide practical resources like one-on-one counseling to help neighbors achieve their housing goals.
Day 13’s Challenge
High Utility Bills
Inefficient rentals result in high utility bills
How We Help
We pursue energy-efficient features & design to support the environment and create lower costs for residents; many of our homes receive the GreenStar Energy Certification, seen here.
Day 12’s Challenge
No Guidance
Low financial literacy
How We Help
Programs like Family Self-Sufficiency increase financial literacy among neighbors and provide practical tools to help them succeed.
Day 11’s Challenge
Lack of Inventory
15,000 affordable housing units needed
How We Help
Through renovations and ground-up construction projects, like The Southgate seen here, we’re helping create new, affordable housing opportunities to meet the need of 15,000 units in Kent County by 2027.
Day 10’s Challenge
Cut Off
Neighbors disconnected from support
How We Help
In our multifamily homes, Community Connectors engage with and regularly host events for residents.
Day 9’s Challenge
Judgment
Housing instability stereotypes
How We Help
Through community events, speaking engagements, and advocacy, we aim to help our community better understand and destigmatize housing instability.
Day 8’s Challenge
Wages Can’t Keep Up
Home price increases have exceeded wages
How We Help
The Community Homes Land Trust provides affordable homeownership opportunities that benefit multiple future owners through the land trust model.
Day 7’s Challenge
No Support System
Young adults aging out of foster care without support
How We Help
Several of our multifamily homes contain units designed for youth aging out of foster care and include support from partner organizations and a resident Community Connector.
Day 6’s Challenge
Too Complicated
Homebuying is complex
How We Help
Classes like Introduction to Homeownership help first-time homebuyers understand and prepare for the homebuying process.
Day 5’s Challenge
Rising Building Costs
Limited supply of affordable housing
How We Help
We’re grateful for the many businesses who support our renovation or construction projects with gifts of materials or skilled labor.
Day 4’s Challenge
Low Credit Score
Poor credit history limits options
How We Help
Rent reporting is a tool that helps neighbors build their credit score through highlighting their regular rent payments.
Day 3’s Challenge
Not Accessible
Limited accommodations for disabilities
How We Help
The inclusion of accessible units in our multifamily homes is a priority. We love the community our Emerald Flats residents have helped create.
Day 2’s Challenge
Displaced
Too far from school, work, church, or network
How We Help
By focusing our efforts on core West Michigan neighborhoods, we help neighbors stay rooted in their community.
Day 1’s Challenge
Sudden Emergency
Job loss or sickness can lead to homelessness
How We Help
Our six-unit emergency shelter, Family Haven, allows entire families to stay together in independent accommodations while pursuing stable housing.
Give the Gift of Home
Your financial support helps neighbors successfully navigate LIFE’s challenges and find a safe place to call home. Thank you for your gift to ICCF Community Homes!
Positive stories delivered straight to your inbox. Join our e-newsletter.
