
News &
Success Stories
YOUR SUPPORT IN ACTION: 2024 Year-End Publication
Housing North works to remove barriers to housing development in Northwest Michigan, and we’ve had a lot of accomplishments this year that we’re excited to share with you. We’ve put together our 2024 Annual Report to showcase your support in action. Click here and take a look at the publication and all the work we’ve been able to put together, thanks to you!
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HOUSING MATTERS NEWSLETTER
The Housing Matters newsletter is an ongoing update on Housing North's work in the region. It provides information on events, advocacy opportunities, regional housing initiatives, how to get involved with local initiatives, calls to action, and more. To sign up for the newsletter and our mailing list, click here. Check out the latest edition of our newsletter here!
Zoning Atlas Unveiled for Grand Traverse County
“The project aims to translate complex zoning codes into “easily understandable data and maps,” according to Housing North’s website. With funding support from the EDC and Brookby Foundation, Housing North partnered with Flywheel Companies, the University of Michigan, and the Michigan Association of Planning to create Grand Traverse County’s zoning atlas. Emmet, Leelanau, and Benzie counties are next on deck this year, with the goal of creating a zoning atlas for each of the 10 Northwest Michigan counties – including Antrim, Charlevoix, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford – by the end of 2026.”
A Flexible Regional Housing Fund Is Essential for Northern Michigan
“A low-interest loan can make a critical difference in the financial viability of a housing project by lowering monthly debt payments, freeing up resources for construction, and ensuring units can be rented or sold at prices within reach of local workers. Over time, as loans are repaid, the fund replenishes itself, creating a sustainable model for long-term housing development.”
Housing North hosts panel on accessory dwelling units and small homes in Traverse City
“That's the mission of Housing North, a non-profit that creates housing solutions in Northwest Michigan. Tuesday, Housing North hosted a panel discussion on accessory dwelling units and small homes.”
Grand Traverse County initiates Northwest Michigan zoning project
“Over the next year, Housing North and its partners will work to develop a zoning atlas and growth corridor mapping tool to guide community development efforts related to housing and beyond. The goal is to further support the housing development needs in the county, in collaboration with local units of government and other stakeholders.”
Q&A with Tracy Davis on Manistee's housing shortage
'We've made steps and progress, but it's a long game'
Petoskey officials celebrate housing wins, look to 2025
“Emmet County needs to build about 900 new rental units and over 2,500 new homes in the next few years in order to keep up with population growth according to the 2023 Housing Needs Assessment by the advocacy group Housing North.”
Closing the Housing Gap in Frankfort
“Northern Michigan is such a beautiful place, but we feel so much constraint, especially in the summertime,” says FACLT Relationships Committee Co-Chair Tim Jones. “We wanted to [find a way] for more people to work and also be able to live here.”
Long-vacant building in downtown Petoskey to transform into workforce housing
“The redevelopment not only addresses Petoskey’s housing shortage, but will also restore what Silva described as a long-standing “eyesore” in the heart of downtown.”
New Partnership to Bring More Attainable Housing to Northern Michigan
"Housing North is teaming up with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to help develop the state’s first statewide housing plan and bring more attainable housing to Northern Michigan.”
Homeowner assistance toolbox to help expand housing options in Charlevoix County
"ADUs involve a variety of housing types, including apartments within a home, standalone structures on the same lot as existing homes, or new construction above an existing garage.”
Whitmer signs 4-bill housing package into law
"The bills, which passed the state House last month, are a result of nearly two years of advocacy by a coalition of business and housing groups to eliminate financial and land-use barriers for housing developers.”
State House lawmakers pass housing bill package backed by biz, construction groups
The Michigan House of Representatives passed four bills today aimed at creating more workforce housing projects across the state and addressing bottlenecks in housing development.
Yarrow Brown: Be a proud housing advocate: Why it matters
“Why are we so opposed to change when it’s inevitable? We run into the NIMBYs (Not in my Back Yard) often in our work, and now there are BANANAs (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near me at Anytime). I get it — I used to be on that side. But it’s an outlook that doesn’t think about others or see things from another view.”
Foundations for our Future: A new initiative to support homes for our communities
This development is being spearheaded by Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity, whose mission statement includes being “dedicated to eliminating poverty housing locally by constructing rehabilitating and preserving homes.”
Employer in action: Cherry Republic Investing in Workforce Housing
Some major northern Michigan employers have just taken to incorporating housing as one of their benefits for seasonal hiring. Going back as far as 2018, Cherry Republic has been working hard to provide workforce housing for their employees.
HomeStretch Feature: New Affordable Rentals Coming to Traverse City!
HomeStretch Nonprofit Housing Corporation, a regional developer of affordable housing, is in the process of adding 6 new affordable rental units to Traverse City called Oakwood Townhomes. This is a collaboration between a local dentist and Homestretch.
Coming to Boyne City: A Manufactured Home Community
With home prices rising faster than incomes it is even more important to look for housing solutions that meet the needs of our workforce. Between 2011 and 2018, home prices in Charlevoix County increased 38%.
Commongrounds, a Real Estate Cooperative in Traverse City
The Commongrounds Cooperative Building is a mixed-use four-story building on the corner of 8th street and Boardman Avenue in Traverse City.