Well House
Well House is a Grand Rapids, Michigan nonprofit founded in 1977 that purchases and rehabilitates vacant houses to provide permanent, shared, low-cost housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, currently operating 16 houses and having served over 5,500 people since 2013.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersGrand Rapids, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Well House does
Well House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1977 by Marian Clements in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The organization purchases vacant, boarded-up houses and rehabilitates them into permanent, shared, low-cost housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. As of the most recent disclosed data, Well House owns 16 houses concentrated on the southeast side of Grand Rapids and has served over 5,500 adults and children since 2013. Residents rent individual rooms with access to shared living spaces (living room, kitchen, bathroom) and extensive outdoor areas, and may stay from one month to many years. The organization follows a Housing First approach, providing immediate access to housing without requiring sobriety or treatment as prerequisites, and gives priority to those who cannot access subsidized housing and have vulnerable health conditions.
Well House supplements its housing services with an Urban Farming program that provides part-time employment opportunities for residents and produces food contributing approximately 25% of residents' food intake. The organization operates with a small staff of 17 employees, including Executive Director John Glover, Housing Specialist Jodi Smith, and Administrative Assistant Natalie LeFebre, governed by a six-member Board of Directors. There is no technology platform underlying the service; operations are conducted in-person at the Grand Rapids campus with applications submitted via PDF form.
The revenue model is diversified across individual donations (including a Seedlings Club monthly giving program), foundation grants (notably $257,000 in 2013 and $475,000 in 2015 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation), in-kind contributions (via Amazon Wish List and direct drop-offs), third-party community fundraisers, and minimal rental income from residents. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on donations, volunteers, word-of-mouth referrals, media coverage, and partnerships with local organizations including the City of Grand Rapids, Kids Food Basket of Grand Rapids, and the G.R.A.C.E. Initiative coalition. Well House is also known by the trade name Well House of Grand Rapids.
Well House firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Well House
- Legal name
- Well House
- Website
- https://wellhousegr.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Well House is a Grand Rapids, Michigan nonprofit founded in 1977 that purchases and rehabilitates vacant houses to provide permanent, shared, low-cost housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, currently operating 16 houses and having served over 5,500 people since 2013.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Well House industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Affordable Housing Services
- NAICS
- Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)
Keywords
Where Well House is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Well House business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Grants: Well House receives grant funding from foundations including the W.K. Kellogg Foundation ($257,000 in 2013, $475,000 in 2015) to expand housing options and operations.
- Donations: Well House receives tax-deductible donations from individuals through one-time or monthly contributions (Seedlings Club). Donors can also purchase legacy bricks laid at the entrance of the original Well House home.
- In-Kind Donations: Well House receives physical donations through Amazon Wish List and direct drop-offs of household items, furniture, and construction materials to prepare houses for tenants.
- Third-Party Fundraising: Well House accepts support from third-party fundraisers organized by community members and organizations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Low-cost housing rental for individuals experiencing homelessness |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Well House product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Well House purchases and rehabilitates vacant, boarded-up houses to provide permanent, shared, low-cost housing for people experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Residents rent individual rooms with access to shared living spaces (living room, kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor areas) and may apply for part-time jobs on the Urban Farm or helping rehabilitate other vacant homes. The organization operates under a Housing First model that does not require sobriety or treatment as a precondition for housing.
Product overview
Well House operates as a nonprofit organization providing permanent, shared, low-cost housing for people experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The core offering is the Permanent Shared Housing program, where Well House purchases vacant homes, rehabilitates them, and offers rooms for rent to those in need. Supporting services include the Urban Farming Program, which provides residents with part-time employment opportunities and produces food for the community. The organization emphasizes a Housing First model without requiring sobriety or treatment as prerequisites. Residents can stay for varying durations and have access to shared living spaces and extensive outdoor areas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Permanent Shared Housing Well House purchases and rehabilitates vacant, boarded-up houses to provide permanent, shared, low-cost housing for people experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Residents rent individual rooms with access to shared living spaces including living room, kitchen, bathroom, and extensive outdoor areas. Priority is given to those who cannot access subsidized housing and who have the most vulnerable health conditions. Residents may stay one month or many years based on their situation.
- Urban Farming Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 5,500 individuals housed since 2013
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Well House
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Well House technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Well House partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Mayor Rosalynn Bliss (City of Grand Rapids)coreGrand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss visited Well House, taking a walking tour of nearby homes. As a supporter of Well House, Mayor Bliss understands the pressing need for low-cost housing options and supports the mission to increase housing access for vulnerable neighbors.
- Community Rebuildiers (G.R.A.C.E. Initiative)coreThe G.R.A.C.E. (Gather and Align to End Homelessness) Initiative leads a collaboration of nonprofits focusing on homelessness and housing insecurity. Funded through the American Rescue Plan, the initiative aims to divert vulnerable families towards support, expand access to affordable housing, help close equity gaps and support the development of vibrant communities. Well House is proud to be part of this initiative.
- New York TimesminorThe New York Times mentioned Well House in an article titled 'The Abandoned Houses of Instagram' on June 24, 2021, providing national media visibility.
- Keller Williams NorthminorOver 40 volunteers from Keller Williams North made a significant contribution to the new Channer Community Courtyard project, clearing overgrown weeds, trimming trees, leveling ground for a new playset, and creating and planting new perennial beds.
- Kids Food Basket of Grand RapidscoreKids Food Basket of Grand Rapids provided sustained support, supplying sack suppers including fresh fruit, bread and protein sources weekly, which were distributed to Well House tenants and neighbors. This partnership enabled Well House to expand emergency food stores and proactively add shelf-stable food items to pantry services.
- Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Public Health Graduate StudentsminorGVSU Public Health Graduate Students, led by Steve Channer, assisted with fall yard clean-up at several Well House residences as part of volunteer days.
- Fast CompanyminorFast Company featured Well House in an article titled 'In Grand Rapids, this Nonprofit Buys Abandoned Homes for the Homeless' in October 2016, providing national media coverage for the organization's model.
- SteelcaseminorSteelcase designers offered their skills to Well House in 2011, unveiling design ideas for the organization and providing design expertise to help improve living spaces.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Well House competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Family Promise: National nonprofit addressing family homelessness through a network of local affiliates providing shelter, housing, and stabilization services. Highly comparable operating model of local execution under a mission-driven nonprofit structure serving people experiencing homelessness.
- Habitat for Humanity: Global nonprofit that builds, rehabilitates, and repairs homes for low-income and vulnerable populations using volunteer labor and donated materials. Directly comparable in the acquisition-and-rehab approach and reliance on volunteer construction labor.
- Community Rebuilders: Grand Rapids–based nonprofit addressing homelessness and housing insecurity through outreach, shelter, and housing programs. Direct local peer operating in the same geography and serving the same population.
- Coalition for the Homeless: National federation of homeless service organizations advocating for and operating housing and shelter programs. Highly comparable nonprofit operating model focused on permanent housing solutions and Housing First practices.
- PATH (People Assisting the Homeless): California-based nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness, with a strong Housing First orientation. Closely comparable operating model focused on permanent supportive housing and wraparound services.
- LIFT: National nonprofit working to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through coaching, resources, and community partnerships. Comparable in serving vulnerable populations with a goal of long-term stability and economic mobility.
Broad incumbents
- Mercy Housing: One of the largest nonprofit affordable housing organizations in the U.S., providing affordable rental housing and supportive services across the country. Comparable mission of operating permanent supportive housing for vulnerable populations, but at meaningfully greater scale and geographic breadth.
- Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that develops and operates affordable housing, combines real estate expertise with supportive services. Comparable mission and use of Housing First philosophy, but operates at significantly larger scale with policy and development capabilities Well House lacks.
- Volunteers of America: Large national nonprofit providing housing and human services including programs for people experiencing homelessness. Comparable in the supportive housing and services mission but operates across many service lines at substantially greater scale.
Others
- National Low Income Housing Coalition: National advocacy organization dedicated to achieving affordable housing and ending homelessness through policy work rather than direct service delivery. Indirectly comparable as an ecosystem participant focused on the same mission space.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Well House social profiles
Digital presenceWell House compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Well House financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Well House leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Well House funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Well House M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Well House
What does Well House do?
Well House purchases and rehabilitates vacant, boarded-up houses to provide permanent, shared, low-cost housing for people experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Residents rent individual rooms with access to shared living spaces (living room, kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor areas) and may apply for part-time jobs on the Urban Farm or helping rehabilitate other vacant homes. The organization operates under a Housing First model that does not require sobriety or treatment as a precondition for housing.
Is Well House a public or private company?
Well House is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Well House founded?
Well House was founded in 1977.
Where is Well House based?
Well House is headquartered in Grand Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Well House make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Grants are the primary driver. The others are donations, in-Kind Donations and third-Party Fundraising.
Who are Well House's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Family Promise, Habitat for Humanity, Community Rebuilders, Coalition for the Homeless, PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) and LIFT. Broad incumbents are Mercy Housing, Enterprise Community Partners and Volunteers of America. National Low Income Housing Coalition is listed as an others.
Does Well House have an API?
No public API is recorded for Well House.
What industry is Well House in?
Well House's product category is Affordable Housing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services, with a secondary code of BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services. Its NAICS code is 623990 and its SIC code is 7000.