Housing Now

06/03/2026

Been thinking about becoming a developer yourself? Check out this upcoming land development training on June 16. Everyone starts somewhere - this could be your big break to help add more to our community. If you have any issues, our local HBA can help get you registered.

Learn more at nahb.org/education.

06/03/2026

Our friends at the Marquette County Land Bank Authority are seeking development partners for a key priority site in Ishpeming Township. requires partnership and collaboration, so if you're a developer looking to make a difference and work on a rewarding workforce housing project, check out the details at https://rfs.mqtco.org/s/EqExM7RYcq6ZrRZ.

Responses are due by 5:00pm EST on June 24, 2026.

05/27/2026

There’s a lot of talk about moving chains - the concept that higher-end housing creates openings in more affordable units. This Pew Research Center video explains some recent data to support this concept. It’s not a perfect 1:1 but it does help move the needle.

"It brought so much joy to my life knowing that Michael had a chanc...

05/20/2026

7 new units are on the way to downtown Ishpeming thanks to approval of a tax increment finance plan by the county Brownfield Authority, City Council, and County Commssion.

The plan will allow the local developer to be reimbursed for up to $407,000 in eligible expenses for this $1.8M project, changing the formula in a way that makes the project feasible. The local developer is part of our emerging developer network and we are thrilled to see them continuing to invest in Marquette County. TIF is a reimbursement program, meaning there is no upfront payment and only true costs are reimbursed as taxable value increases.

All seven units will be limited to households making no more than 120% of the area median income thanks to funding from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s MI Neighborhood Program. That means more housing for teachers, public safety progressionals, healthcare workers, and other essential members of our community.

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2026/05/20/marquette-county-board-approves-ishpeming-brownfield-apartments/ #

The old downtown Rollie's furniture store in Ishpeming will become new apartments for the community.

05/19/2026

More houses on the way!

05/18/2026

It’s exciting to see sites identified in the 2025 sites prospectus actively pursued for housing development!

05/13/2026

Several members of the leadership council are in Lansing this week at the Building Michigan Communities Conference. We’re learning from others and sharing the story of our work to increase housing options and capacity. is a collaborative effort at all levels. Keep an eye out for updates to our own resources and approach to make sure we’re providing the most impactful strategy possible.

05/11/2026

Did you know that the Target Housing Market Analyis identified 420 student households needing housing in our community annually? To help address that need, NMU has entered into a public private partnership with a developer to build two new housing complexes. Providing additional for students will also alleviate pressure in the rental market in the City of Marquette.

We love seeing progress being made on reaching the full potential identified in the TMA.

05/09/2026

Building “Yes In My Back Yard” coalitions was a key breakout session during our recent Housing Solutions Summit. This article is a great example of why that type of action is needed to create opportunities for new housing. While the title is a bit sensational, the main point aligns with ongoing discussions we’re had.

A key point: “The conclusions are remarkably consistent. Studies in places as different as Los Angeles and suburban Salt Lake County find that new multifamily housing either increases nearby home values or has no measurable negative effect. A broader body of national research reaches the same conclusion.”

Policymakers have unintentionally built a system in which the voices most opposed to new housing have an effective veto. But that veto is based on fears both unsupported and unsupportable.

05/08/2026

Missed the session on demystifying the Affordable Housing process? We’ve got you covered! You can find a recording below. ⬇️

https://youtu.be/-T6oQsNhgpg?si=HlP_y86xVl-uKaRK

Thank you again to our speakers and moderators who took the time to share their insights. We know we learned new information and we hope you do too! Then it’s up to us to take that information and drive changes that make it easier to get more affordable housing projects in our community. 🏘️🪏

Housing Now Community Dialogue: Demystifying the Affordable Housing Process. April 22, 2026, webinarCraig Patterson, Senior Vice President - Development, of...