Thank you for attending the 2025 Northwest Michigan Housing Summit!

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Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 11th Annual Housing Summit! Your presence, insights, and passion for creating housing solutions made this milestone event truly memorable. Together, we celebrated progress and explored innovative paths forward, reaffirming our shared commitment to building resilient communities. We are grateful for your continued support and dedication to our mission. Let’s keep the momentum going as we work towards a future where everyone has a place to call home!

As we continue reflecting on this year’s Summit, we would greatly value your input. Your feedback helps us understand what resonated, what can be better, and how we can make next year’s event even more impactful. Click here and please fill out the Summit’s feedback survey.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to this year’s Summit sponsors. Their partnership and investment made it possible to bring our region together, host dynamic conversations, and elevate innovative solutions. Their commitment to housing solutions and community resilience strengthens our collective work, and we are grateful for their continued leadership and support.

**Resources**

Explore resources from the Housing Summit! These resources are here to support your work in creating housing solutions. We hope these materials inspire and empower you to drive positive change in our communities.
Keynote with Strong Towns: Escaping the Housing Trap: The Strong Towns Response to the Housing Crisis
Housing North - State of the Region Housing
MSHDA - All about the data
Homestretch - Cost-Cutting in Construction: Practical Solutions for Developers and Communities, highlighting the use of PILOT tool and other strategies
Housing Commissions 101- How does a Housing Commission Partner with Units of Government and others to Create Housing?
Housing Readiness - What Does it Mean and How Can My Community Become Housing Ready?
Implementing with Impact- Resources and Support for Housing Programs
Exploring the new Housing Tax Incremental Financing (HTIF) Tool for Housing
Neighborhood-scale Housing Solutions: A Neighborhood Renewal Strategy in Kalamazoo
Building Tomorrow: 3D Printed Housing Solutions
MSHDA - Statewide Housing Plan Update
Homelessness in Focus - Coalition to End Homelessness
Grand Traverse County Zoning Atlas project
Grants that Build- Exploring grant writing for Housing projects, Rural Readiness and housing readiness
Penciling Out Modular Construction
Reimagining Ownership: Blueprints for New Approaches to Shared Equity
Small Projects, Big Potential
Fair Housing & Housing Development

2025 Housing Champions - Awards

Each year at the Housing Summit, Housing North proudly honors outstanding leaders through our Awards Ceremony. The awards recognize individuals and organizations who demonstrate unwavering commitment to advancing housing solutions, building stronger communities, and advocating for equitable, affordable housing across the region. The recipients of this award inspire change, embodying the spirit of collaboration and innovation that drives our mission. Their dedication strengthens the foundation for a future where everyone has a place to call home. Congratulations to this year’s award winners:

Housing Leadership Award: Jane MacKenzie – Executive Director, Northern Homes CDC

This year’s Housing Leadership Award honors Jane MacKenzie, who has spent more than 30 years advancing housing solutions across Northern Michigan. Under her leadership, Northern Homes CDC has grown into one of the region’s most impactful nonprofit housing developers, now owning and managing 237 units across five counties, with 70 more in progress. Her recent work includes helping bring the first major multifamily development to Petoskey in over 20 years, a 60-unit project opening this December. Jane’s steady leadership, innovation, and deep commitment have strengthened communities across the region.

Champion Housing Advocate Award: Dan Buron & Nora Dunlop – Goodwill Northern Michigan

We are proud to recognize Dan Buron and Nora Dunlop for their outstanding advocacy on behalf of residents earning below 30% AMI. Dan, Executive Director of Goodwill Northern Michigan, leads a network of housing, food security, and supportive service programs that serve ten counties in Region D. His leadership in regional collaborations has strengthened efforts to prevent and end homelessness. Nora, a leader in housing development and nonprofit finance, has helped advance major projects like the East Bay Flats redevelopment into 100% permanent supportive housing and worked to secure critical local support for chronically homeless residents. Together, they reflect Goodwill’s mission to ensure every person has access to safe, stable housing and essential support.

Funders Award: Huntington Bank

This year’s Funders Award goes to Huntington Bank for its strong commitment to expanding housing opportunities in Northwest Michigan. Through innovative financing tools, community partnerships, and support for local developers, Huntington has played a key role in moving new affordable and workforce housing projects forward. Their efforts—from bridge loans to permanent financing to homebuyer support—continue to strengthen the region’s housing ecosystem.