Stanwood Crossings: Portage’s New Neighborhood Built for Real People, Not Just High Prices

There’s a brand-new neighborhood coming to Portage — and it’s not just another collection of houses with sky-high price tags. It’s called Stanwood Crossings, and it’s bringing something our community desperately needs: real homeownership opportunities for everyday people.

Located between Stanley and Woodbine Avenues, this new 42-home development is designed for families who earn a good living — teachers, firefighters, nurses, city employees, and other hardworking folks — but who’ve found themselves priced out of today’s housing market.

That’s where the magic of Stanwood Crossings comes in.

What Makes Stanwood Crossings Different

Most new homes are out of reach for middle-income buyers because land costs and construction expenses have skyrocketed. Stanwood Crossings flips that equation.

Here’s how it works: you buy the home, but not the land. The land is owned by the Portage Community Land Trust (PCLT) — a nonprofit created to keep housing affordable. You lease the land through a long-term, low-cost agreement (about $50 a month). By taking land out of the purchase price, buyers save tens of thousands of dollars up front.

When it’s time to sell, the next buyer must also meet income guidelines, and the price adjusts with the area’s median income — not wild market swings. This way, the home stays affordable not just for one family, but for generations to come. It’s a simple idea with powerful ripple effects: affordability today, and sustainability tomorrow.

Why It Matters for Portage

If you’ve been following the housing headlines, you know the story — home prices in Southwest Michigan have climbed faster than incomes. A starter home that cost $180,000 a few years ago can now easily hit $260,000 or more. For many families, that’s the difference between owning a home and renting indefinitely.

Stanwood Crossings was created to bridge that gap. It’s specifically designed for people earning 80% to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) — roughly $69,000 to $103,000 for a family of three. These are our community’s essential workers — the people who make Portage run every day. This development gives them the chance to own, build equity, and plant roots right here in the community they serve.

A Neighborhood You’ll Be Proud to Call Home

The homes at Stanwood Crossings aren’t “budget” homes — they’re thoughtfully designed new builds with modern layouts, two-car garages, patios, and plenty of yard space. Each home will be energy-efficient, attractive, and built to last. The first homes are expected to be ready by late 2025, and eventually, 42 families will call Stanwood Crossings home.

Imagine a neighborhood full of people who love where they live — and who can actually afford to stay there.

A Smarter Approach to Affordable Housing

What’s exciting about Stanwood Crossings is that it’s not a short-term “affordable housing” program. It’s a long-term solution that makes homeownership possible today and keeps it possible for the future.

This model — known as a community land trust — has been successful in cities across the country. It helps working families become homeowners without relying on massive subsidies or temporary price caps. And it gives cities like Portage a tool to create stable, mixed-income neighborhoods where people want to live, work, and raise families.

The Bigger Picture

Stanwood Crossings is part of Portage’s broader effort to create more diverse, affordable, and connected housing options — something every growing community needs. It’s a small neighborhood with a big vision: to make sure homeownership isn’t just a dream for the next generation of Portage residents — it’s a reality.

Final Thoughts

At the Veenstra Team, we love seeing smart, community-minded developments like this take shape. Housing is more than just walls and roofs — it’s about people, relationships, and belonging.

Stanwood Crossings represents a new way forward for Portage — one that honors the spirit of homeownership while keeping it within reach for the people who make this community what it is.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about this project or similar opportunities in Southwest Michigan, reach out anytime — we’d be happy to help you explore what’s possible.