Housing YES Charlevoix

09/25/2025

There is still a vast need for units in our area even with promising developments here and nearby, proven with this project that has a 241 person waitlist for the 60 available apartments.

"There is more demand for housing than the supply of housing and that affects everybody, including people that currently have a home but want to move perhaps to downsize...This also includes the families living in apartments who would love to buy a house"

"There needs to be more opportunities to downsize. We need smaller (homes) and smaller rentals"

"There are only 60 apartments available and right now I have 241 people on the preliminary wait list," said Jane MacKenzie, as the Lofts at Lumber Square prepares to open.

05/21/2025

It's been awhile since we've posted, as local wheels are turning slowly but in the right direction for a few possible developments.

In the mean time, newly released Housing Affordability from the National Association of Home Builders shows some real data behind the housing crisis: nearly 60% of U.S. households are unable to afford a $300,000 home. What can be done? Solutions need to come in all forms and require many stakeholders - with community support as the backbone!

NAHB has updated its housing affordability graph for 2025, and the latest data show that 76.4 million households, 57% out of a total of 134.3 million, are unable to afford a $300,000 home.

10/21/2024

Are you unable to find housing in Marion Township or the surrounding area?

Attorney Rod A. Dunlap of Dunlap & Kucmierz out of Farmington Hills is discussing with current and other potential clients in the area who have been negatively impacted by local zoning practices that appear to have the intention of keeping out low and middle income families.

Talk to Attorney Rod Dunlap via zoom on Wednesday, October 23, 7pm as he investigates the negative impact of these zoning practices.

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08/15/2024

Another loss for housing, as the Marion Township proposal to allow the rezone of a parcel for a manufactured home community was voted down in the election last week. Thank you to those who saw the future vision and supported the effort.
Our group will continue to advocate for housing developments, initiatives, tools, etc., that will help create new housing or make it easier to create new housing that benefits those looking to live here year-round. We will keep saying Yes to Housing in Charlevoix!

08/05/2024

Scott Philp, the owner of the property in question on the Marion Township ballot tomorrow has asked that we share these final thoughts to the community before tomorrow's election...

"As we approach the final hours before Election Day, I thought I would try to explain my development intentions once more as I ask Marion Township residents for your support with a YES vote tomorrow on the rezoning of my property.

"I have tried to be as transparent as possible with this process. I believe the concerns come from lack of understanding of the process we have been to up until this point and what will happen after, and I hope I have shed some light on that. I have lived in Charlevoix for 27 years, I run a business here, I have employees here. I see firsthand the need for housing, and I want to make a difference with this development for the entire community. I hold myself accountable to residents of Charlevoix for my own livelihood, and I will do that with my intentions on this property."

08/02/2024

Luther Kurtz discusses Marion Township Vote for Housing.

07/17/2024

Marion Township Housing Ballot Question August 6th:

This property up for rezone are owned by Scott Philp, who also owns Landscape Logic. Scott has been in this community for 27 years and his care and dedication for the community are shown in his work and community efforts. Manufactured homes are exactly one of the housing types needed to help solve the housing crisis. Please remember that housing is built by developers and there is no magic bullet that will solve the entire housing crisis in one shot. But a manufactured home community like the one he is proposing will be a huge benefit for people that live in this community, and it is a blessing that we have a local business owner who cares about this community and is willing to take on this project.

Scott stated this development will have trails connecting the homes to a 20+ acre natural area on the property, and that construction methods will focus on efficiency and value, working to keep these homes at an attainable price point. Additionally, he indicates that, even though they are prefabricated, the homes will be designed to look and feel more like homes in a traditional subdivision, and that HOA rules will keep the property inviting and comfortable for families who live and work in this community.

The Marion Township Planning Commission, the Charlevoix County Planning Commission, and the Marion Township Board of Trustees all reviewed this rezone and voted to support it. Please join your local leaders and support local business owner Scott Philp in his efforts to provide housing that we need in the community.

Please vote YES for More Homes on August 6th in Marion Township!

03/28/2024

Sound familiar?
The housing crisis is bigger than any one community, but the only communities that will prosper will be the ones who do something about it.
Housing is not a City issue or a Township issue; it is not a low-income or middle-income issue; it is not a public sector or private sector issue. It is an all-hands-on-deck and all-of-the-above issue.
We need to support those willing to build, willing to finance, and willing to house year-round residents.
It is time to see beyond your own backyard before you lose a community to call home!

With even people with good jobs saying they've been locked out of the housing market in Steamboat Springs, Colo., the town took a vote on whether to make a big change. NBC News' Shannon Pettypiece reports.

01/08/2024

Our neighbors in Boyne City have a promising development on the horizon for some attainable housing units - if you're a Boyne resident, help be there to support it! We know many people commute between communities for living and working, so this development can help Charlevoix too.

Housing for Boyne- Project Information Sessions.

Have you heard about some new projects being discussed for Downtown Boyne City? Want to find out more? Join Marilyn Chrumka at one of the public meetings.

11/05/2023

Charlevoix Third Ward Councilman Phil Par urges residents to vote YES on housing and NO on another park.

11/01/2023

Check out the article below to learn why Deputy Mayor Aaron Hagen is urging residents to support new housing in the upcoming election.

Opinion Column: Vote YES for More Housing and NO on Unneeded Parkland in Charlevoix Oct 26, 2023 Charlevoix is known for being the quintessential Michigan tourist town where people flock to enjoy stunning lakeshores and a cozy downtown. We also have great schools, quality amenities and a strong sens...