“A bad roof or a broken furnace can put a family’s whole home at risk.”
That’s Whitney Wardell, president and CEO of Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek (NIBC), explaining why repairs matter as much as new construction. It’s also a fair summary of a new $75,000 investment in local housing.
Consumers Credit Union is awarding $37,500 each to NIBC and S.A.F.E. Place through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis’ Community Multiplier – Member Match program.
How the Money Adds Up
Member Match is a matching grant program for financial institutions that belong to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBank Indianapolis). Grants can reach $60,000 each, and the member institution must commit at least a 25% match. Here, each grant combines $30,000 from FHLBank Indianapolis with $7,500 from Consumers, which comes to $37,500 per organization.
“We believe safe, stable housing creates stronger families and stronger communities,” said Josh Summerfield, vice president of mortgages at Consumers. He added that the partnership helps address critical housing needs and opens up more opportunities for individuals and families to thrive.
S.A.F.E. Place: Room to Rebuild
S.A.F.E. Place will use its grant to build five apartment-style units for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. The units will go up on the organization’s existing property and offer longer-term emergency housing. They’re meant for people who need more time and support before moving into permanent housing.
That matters because shelter is only a first step. These apartments help bridge the gap between shelter and a place of one’s own, and residents stay connected to supportive services along the way.
“These five apartments give families room to rest, plan and rebuild while staying close to the support they count on,” said Ellen Lassiter Collier, CEO of S.A.F.E. Place. She thanked Consumers and FHLBank Indianapolis for helping make them happen.
NIBC: Fixing What’s Already There
NIBC’s grant will fund its housing rehabilitation initiative, which revitalizes aging homes and grows the supply of safe, affordable housing across Battle Creek and Calhoun County. The money will cover critical repairs, including:
- Roofing
- Mechanical systems
- Electrical and plumbing upgrades
- Accessibility improvements
- Health and safety repairs
The work will preserve existing affordable housing and return vacant or distressed properties to productive use. Wardell said the funding helps keep homes safe and livable and brings empty properties back on streets that need them. She thanked Consumers and FHLBank Indianapolis for investing in the city’s neighborhoods.
What It Means for Battle Creek
Taken together, the two projects aim to expand housing stability, protect the affordable housing already in place and strengthen neighborhoods across the community.
If you’re a homeowner in Battle Creek or Calhoun County with a repair you can’t afford, contact Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek to ask about rehabilitation help. If you or someone you know needs safe shelter, reach out to S.A.F.E. Place. And if you work at a financial institution, check whether it’s an FHLBank Indianapolis member that could apply for matching grants like these.