The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan recognized three Grand Rapids landlords at a special ceremony Saturday, February 24, 2007, at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. The award was made in partnership with the Rental Property Owners Association (RPOA) at its annual conference.

The award ceremony was sponsored by RepcoLite Paints, a local paint manufacturer and retailer. The winning landlord received $500 worth of products and supplies from RepcoLite, while the two runner-up recipients each received a $100 gift certificate.

"All of the landlords being recognized have taken significant steps to protect children from the hazards of lead-based paint," said Paul Haan, Project Coordinator, Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan. "We feel it is time that our community publicly recognize the rental property owners who are taking the lead in providing safe housing," he added.

Award of Merit

Dan Brink's nomination stood out from the other nominees because of Mr. Brink's concern that children receive the medical testing required to ensure that they do not have elevated blood-lead levels. According to Federal, State and local public health guidelines, all children living in pre-1978 housing and all children residing in target communities like the City of Grand Rapids should be tested for childhood lead poisoning at ages one and two. Mr. Brink encourages tenants to seek out this testing to protect both him and the children.

Mr. Brink was nominated by Steve VenHuizen at Lighthouse Communities. Steve said, "Mr. Brink is a good neighbor. He doesn't leave property empty for long and he's concerned about the kids. He keeps an eye out for lead hazards because he genuinely cares about these kids."

Mr. Brink has also completed HUD/EPA certified Lead-Safe Work Practices training and has remediated all lead hazards in nine of his rental units through the City of Grand Rapids Get the Lead Out! Lead Hazard Control program.

Award of Merit

The application about John Sanger of Thumb LLC caught the attention of the selection committee because Mr. Sanger has remediated all but one of the properties in his current inventory. And at that property, where no children currently reside, Mr. Sanger has taken proactive steps to address lead hazards, such as replacing windows and wrapping trim. Mr. Sanger has thoroughly remediated five units and has completed HUD/EPA certified Lead-Safe Work Practices training.

Mr. Sanger's nomination was tendered by Bill Butts, Supervisor of the City of Grand Rapids Housing Rehabilitation Office. Mr. Butts said, "John is an energetic, young landlord who has recognized how to use the City's Lead Hazard Control to establish his business. At the same time, he has focused on units currently occupied by families with young children."

When Healthy Homes Coalition contacted him about his nomination, Mr. Sanger noted one property in particular where the repairs he made to protect children led to quick re-occupancy by a new family. The new windows, fresh paint and affordable rent were attractive to the new tenants, who were aware of potential paint hazards in older housing.

Like many rental property owners, Mr. Sanger has a modest inventory (eight units), yet he focuses his activity on units where children currently reside. He got into the rental property business in 2003 and immediately began working to incorporate the protection of children's health into his business plan. While he is not a full-time landlord, Mr. Sanger makes the time to do things right when it comes to children's health.

Healthy Homes Coalition Rental Property Owner of the Year

Jim Loftus has done an amazing amount of work to make sure that the property he owns is made lead-safe as soon as possible. In many cases, Mr. Loftus has remediated lead hazards upon purchase of a new rental property. At many other properties, he has made his units lead safe at tenant turnover. Mr. Loftus' business model is strategic; he makes sure to rehabilitate units when it is practical for both him and his tenants.

Mr. Loftus was also nominated by Bill Butts, who said, "Jim has done a good job of fitting the City's Lead Hazard Control program into his business model for a win/win situation. He is an example of a landlord with a sizable inventory who has taken the time to watch out for the safety of his tenant children."

This model has enabled Mr. Loftus to remediate lead hazards in 25 units to date through the City of Grand Rapids' Get the Lead Out! Lead Hazard Control program. He has completed HUD/EPA certified Lead-Safe Work Practices training and integrates those practices when he works on other rental properties he owns.

Healthy Homes Coalition is proud to proclaim Mr. James Loftus the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan 2007 Rental Property Owner of the Year.

Media Coverage of the Award

• Rapid Growth
• Grand Rapids Press Front Page (212 KB PDF)