Howell nonprofit transforms motel, nearly ready to welcome guests in need of housing

HOWELL TWP. — Howell-based nonprofit organization Community Catalysts is nearly ready to begin moving people into Bethel Suites, a 14-unit reduced-rate extended-stay motel aimed at improving guests' situations.

Community Catalysts Development Co. purchased a portion of the former Crest Motel at 4495 W. Grand River Ave. in Howell Township in 2022. The organization has converted the building into a more than 5,000-square-foot option for attainable, transitional housing.

Nonprofit director Eileen Zilch said more than a dozen people have signed up to be on the waitlist for units at Bethel Suites, as of Wednesday. She said she hopes guests will begin occupying eight of the 14 units — efficiency-style rooms with kitchenettes — by the end of April.

The rest of the units, which include small apartment-style units, are expected to be ready in May.

Beyond a place to call home, Bethel Suites will also provide free job coaching, mental health services, community dinners and work placement programs. The site will include a manager's office with information and access to social services, and space for people to meet with case workers.

The nonprofit is also working on providing frozen home-cooked meals for guests. When they arrive, they'll receive a welcome bag with toiletries, snacks and other items.

"We want to make people feel loved and know they're valued, and be encouraged to take that next step to build up their self-confidence, so they're able to take that next step to solve whatever challenge they're currently experiencing," Zilch said.

Prospective guests include those who've lost their housing or struggle to afford it, those who've aged out of the foster care system, those who've faced mental health challenges or domestic violence, and even a senior looking for safe, affordable housing on a fixed income.

'Not your typical situation'

Zilch said there's a lack of affordable housing options in Livingston County, and some that are affordable aren't safe.

Bethel Suites is designed to be safe, with 24/7 surveillance and a general manager living on-site.

Artists with Raw Art, an local nonprofit arts initiative that formed a couple years ago, are painting murals in each unit. Zilch, who's been honing her own artistic skills, is creating watercolor and acrylic paintings for each room.

Volunteers have helped assemble furniture. They plan to put rocking chairs outside of each unit. Community Bible Church will host weekly barbecues around a pergola to provide meals and chances for guests to socialize.

Zilch said she's working to apply for grants related to food security, which could help them fund a community garden, provide meals to guests and improve the pergola as a picnic spot.

She said renovating the former Crest Motel into Bethel Suites will cost about $1.5 million.

"Everything is price-sensitive, because we're not taking any government money. All of our money comes from us, a lot of community donations, and we did fall short of our goal," she said.

Loans, donations collected from the community, and an ongoing fundraising campaign are financing the makeover project. Some professionals have offered reduced rates for services, including contracting, architecture and legal.

Bethel Suites will host a grand opening 9 a.m.-7 p.m. May 18. Free reservations for the event are available through Eventbrite.

More ideas in the works

Community Catalysts has been involved in several housing developments in Michigan since forming several years ago, and Zilch, a Howell resident, told The Daily in 2021 she wanted to turn her focus to her home turf.

When local nonprofit youth organization The Connection Youth Services was in danger of leaving its transitional housing for youths, Community Catalysts stepped in and bought the building.

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"We're already looking to expand (attainable housing) in Howell Township," Zilch said. "We're looking at affordable multi-family housing, traditional rentals, so people can move there from here."

She said Community Catalysts is also pursuing a grant for tiny homes, pointing out that Hamburg Township is the only community in Livingston County that allows them in their zoning.

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com. 

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Howell nonprofit transforms motel for those in need of housing