Morton House owner intends to sell

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The property containing the Morton House Apartments in downtown Grand Rapids will be up for sale later this year, forcing tenants in 199 units to move out.

The building was purchased in 1971 for use as a multi-family, Section 8 affordable housing unit. The mortgage was obtained under a federal program called Section 236 -- a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guarantee.

As part of the agreement, the owners -- Saperstein Associates -- were to maintain the building as such until the end of the mortgage in August.

The owners could then decide to continue to rent in this manner, renovate and rent high dollar, or open a giant store. They have chosen to attempt to sell the property because it is at the end of its useful life.

There are 199 rented units and everyone who lives there will have to move. They will be given housing-choice vouchers, as long as they continue to qualify for the program. Clients will be able to shop outside of the Section 8 housing market, and can look at any place that will accept the amount they are receiving.

HUD officials will assign an independent third party administrator -- a housing commission -- who will assist tenants in finding new places to live. That should happen in the next seven to 14 days. The last day for occupancy will be August 31.

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A letter from Morton House to residents