City of Jackson 100 Homes Program

Project Description

The 100 Homes Program is on a mission to build 100 new homes over the next two years in Jackson. Launched in Oct. 2023 by the City’s Community Development Department, the program is constructing 100 new single-family homes on vacant lots by providing $25,000 in down payment assistance and connecting income-qualified buyers to builders. Buyers select the lot location and choose from three different house plans, with all home prices capped at $175,000.

100 Homes, which is powered by $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, is already making an impact in Jackson by providing affordable housing options and rebuilding neighborhoods. As of May 2024, the program has planned construction on nine homes, started construction on seven homes, and completed one home.

Is your project easy to replicate in other communities (clear in its impact and execution for other communities)?

The 100 Homes Program shows how municipalities can use available resources and new partnerships to help alleviate the housing crisis in their community.

To replicate an initiative like 100 Homes, other communities would need to look at existing funding sources and development tools. Cities of a similar size or larger than Jackson likely have vacant lots in established neighborhoods that are ready for redevelopment. Forging partnerships with home builders is also key to a program’s success.

What is the Community Wealth Impact (based on one or more of the categories you selected) of your project?

Jackson is seeing a substantial positive impact from the 100 Homes Program. In a community where 45 percent of residents live in rental housing, it’s important for the City of Jackson to use available resources to help residents build equity and generational wealth through homeownership.

This effort is also strengthening neighborhoods. New houses and residents are fostering more community engagement, neighborhood identity, and small business growth all over the City of Jackson. 100 Homes has also led to a housing construction boom in Jackson. Since the program was announced in 2023, 16 permits have been issued for privately built homes in the City Limits.

Describe the creativity and originality of your project.

100 Homes is unlike any other program underway in Michigan. Seeing a need for more single-family homes in Jackson, City staff took action to find creative solutions to the problem. Instead of waiting for private developers to take interest in Jackson, staff realized they could use available resources and partnerships to launch a program that would benefit the entire community.

With more than 600 applications submitted over the past seven months, it’s clear that residents are excited to participate in this innovative program. City staff work closely with homebuyers from the pre-approval stage all the way up to when they get the keys to their new home. The result of 100 Homes is local government and residents working together to lead housing development in their own neighborhoods.