BATTLE CREEK — The Calhoun County Land Bank Authority and Battle Creek Area Habitat for Humanity are partnering to rehabilitate a vacant house at 247 N. McKinley Ave. in Battle Creek.

“The Calhoun County Land Bank is excited to work with Habitat for Humanity to breathe life back into this house and build on the successful revitalization efforts in this neighborhood,” said Krista Trout-Edwards, Executive Director of the Calhoun County Land Bank. “Rehabilitation projects like this help stabilize property values, promote public safety, put houses back into productive use and get them back on the tax rolls.”

Habitat for Humanity has secured a grant from the City of Battle Creek’s HOME Investment Partnership Program to help fund the rehabilitation project. This funding is made available to the City by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The house next door at 253 N. McKinley Ave. was recently rehabilitated by the Land Bank with a similar grant, and is available to income-qualified buyers. Two other nearby houses at 140 N. McKinley Ave. and 113 N. Wabash Ave. were recently rehabilitated and sold to new owners through a partnership between the City of Battle Creek and the Land Bank. The Land Bank frequently partners with local municipalities like the City to focus resources on targeted projects that will have a significant impact on the neighborhood.

“We appreciate the Land Bank’s commitment to making Battle Creek a great place to live, work and play, and we look forward to getting started on the rehabilitation of this blighted house,” said Beverly Kelley, Executive Director of the Battle Creek Area Habitat for Humanity. “This partnership accomplishes our shared goals of bringing people and communities together to provide a stable, affordable home to a family in need.”

The City worked with the Land Bank and Habitat to target HOME funds to rehabilitate the two adjacent homes on North McKinley Avenue.

Habitat is selecting a family to receive the house at 247 N. McKinley Ave. The family will put in their “sweat equity” by assisting with the restoration of their house and other Habitat houses.