Say no to crime, drugs, and disorderly behaviors!
The facts and proof are in the documents section!
THIS IS NOT AN ATTACK ON HOMELESS - SEE FAQs
Matthew's House is a homeless center
They are currently located at 766 7th St. but want to move to 1050 Leonard St NW (the old thrift store on the corner of Powers and Leonard). As part of the move process, they need a special land use permit from the City in order to operate in the new space. The crime they have is unreal! Check the docs!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Goodness no, I do NOT hate the homeless; You could say I don't even know most of them! The biggest issue is the management of Matthew's House and their inability to keep crime and trouble away. This would be the same response if we were talking about a "hub" for rich people that acted the same way, or a strip club that had the same issues, or even a locally owned bar if they had these kinds of issues! It's again NOT an attack on the homeless population and any "generalized" statement is meant to highlight the serious issues and mismanagement of Matthew's House.
As you will find in the documents below, Matthew's House has many issues and allowing them to move into the business area, on a main street, and so close to residential properties is a bad idea from a safety and economic standpoint.
Matthew's House is only doing good for themselves and the people who want to be helped. Overall, it's Matthew's House's mismanagement of the problem humans that is the real issue here! You will find in the documents all the proof showing the problems that actually exist at Matthew's House.
Yes! You will see from a survey we did... that the vast majority of people surveyed have issues with Matthew's House and do not feel safe in their own neighborhood. Click here for those survey results. (it might take a few seconds for the graphs to load)
There's several ways!
- Fill out and sign a opposition letter that will be sent on your behalf to the West Grand Neighborhood Association, City Planning Department, and the First Ward Commissioners
- Contact the West Grand Neighborhood Association (mail@westgrand.org)
- Contact the City Planning Department (planning@grcity.us)
- Contact the First Ward City Commissioners directly! There are two... 1) AliciaMarie Belchak (616-456-3855 or email abelchak@grcity.us) and 2) Drew Robbins (616-456-3868 or email drobbins@grcity.us)
- Share this website with your friends and family! Share it on social media!
Grand Rapids has been through this before... specifically in the downtown business area. Just a couple years ago, WZZM published this story about the problem that downtown was facing, and the impact it had on businesses.
The story notes: "The Chamber details more than a dozen specific instances of downtown businesses and their employees reporting everything from trespassing, to harassment, visible drug use and even human feces being left around where customers walk. It even cites an example of a business needing to hire private security for their customers and employees during "high risk" times.
"It has a huge impact on the teams of these employers," Lunger said. "You can tell they're struggling with it, and they don't know how to solve it.""
The west side and Leonard St has so much going for it... and the issues of harassment, drug use, human feces, and more aren't made up issues -- they are exactly the issues that the GRPD are being repeatedly called to Matthew's House for NOW! How will we keep and attract businesses to the area, an area specifically designated in the City's master plan (see document below) as a "business zone" if we allow these crimes and issues to move in?
Yes! Very much so! We had sent out a survey in October of 2024, well before Matthew's House was proposed, and the results were incredible (thank-you to those who took the survey!). The overwhelmingly majority indicated the neighborhood wants more food/dining options and family-friendly options. Matthew's House provides neither of those. See the document section for survey comments and click here for the "what does the neighborhood want" survey results! (it might take a few seconds for the graphs to load). The results really speak for themselves! There are five pages of comments from real people in YOUR neighborhood that are passionate about what they want to see -- it's a great read!
No... Matthew's House is simply trying to push this through the approval process as quickly and quietly as they can. The following statements made by Matthew's House shows they want YOU and the neighborhood as a whole to absorb the burden of their people.
- "We would also like the neighborhood to help us in preventing dumping of unwanted items on the property for us to dispose of"
- "Nothing will be change by us occupying this space in this building"
- Their own staff have made jokes with the GRPD that if they need training practice, they can come over to Matthew's House any day
Yes, that number is correct! Per capita/person... Matthew's house has 650% more crime than the entire WEST side service area of Grand Rapids. Simply absurd, and scary!
Documents and Files:
Who We Are
My name is Houston Moyer, I am a local property owner and strongly oppose Matthew's House moving to Leonard St. I am simply trying to get the truth about this organization out to the neighbors, so the neighborhood can make its own decision on if Matthew's House belongs at 1050 Leonard St NW.
Support the truth!
Help pay for the postcards, letters, and materials needed to get the word out.
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Send an email... or click the "drop us a line" button below!
Say No to Matthew's House
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