Housing North

06/01/2026

🚨 Housing progress in Northern Michigan is at risk.

Right now, a proposal included in the Senate's budget bill (SB 878) would change how housing funds can be used across the state. While it may sound like a technical budget issue, the impact could be significant for communities across Northern Michigan.

If approved, the proposal would:

🏘️ Eliminate MI Neighborhood, a program that has already invested millions in locally driven housing solutions across Michigan.

🤝 Eliminate support for Regional Housing Partnerships, slowing or stopping the collaborative work communities are doing to implement the Statewide Housing Plan.

📉 Shift funding away from many community-based partners that are helping move housing projects forward.

This could mean:

⚠️ Even less funding and support for local revitalization projects and housing development.

🏡 Housing solutions aren't one-size-fits-all. Northern Michigan needs local solutions, regional collaboration, and continued investment in the partnerships that are already making a difference.

📢 Contact Senator Sarah Anthony and Senator Mary Cavanagh and urge them to remove the restrictive housing provisions from SB 878 before the state budget is finalized.

06/01/2026

🏠 Could home sharing help more people find housing while allowing seniors to remain in the homes they love?

The Grand Traverse County Home Share Network is exploring a program that would connect homeowners with spare rooms to individuals seeking housing in exchange for rent, shared household responsibilities, and companionship.

If you are a senior homeowner, have a family member who may be interested, or simply want to learn more, join the upcoming input session and help shape this potential housing solution.

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

"Michigan’s median home price in March 2026 was $269,700, up 4% compared to the previous year, according to Redfin. A Michigan worker needs to earn approximately $24.23 per hour to afford a modest two-bedroom rental, more than twice Michigan’s minimum wage, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition."

Housing affordability has become a major issue in the 2026 election, with candidates from both parties proposing different solutions, such as tax-advantaged savings accounts, a national housing emergency act, and expanded 529 education savings accounts.

05/25/2026

Remembering with gratitude. Honoring with respect.

05/25/2026

Black Rock Crossing in Marquette addresses regional housing shortages through a partnership between Woda Cooper Companies and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. This project provides 50 new affordable housing units to the area.

Read the full RIX story - bit.ly/4fCCdU7

05/21/2026

🏡 We recently attended the Senior Expo to share information about the GTC Senior Home Share Network, an initiative developed alongside the Grand Traverse County Commission on Aging and community partners in response to a growing need: more housing options for older adults at attainable price points.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more and share conversations with us at the Senior Expo! 💙

05/21/2026

2025 was a big year for housing wins!

Across northwest Lower Michigan, the conversation around housing has shifted from whether we have a challenge to how we work together to solve it. Housing North has been a central

05/19/2026

https://www.9and10news.com/2026/05/15/northern-michigan-manufacturers-lead-charge-on-workforce-housing-and-childcare-at-annual-economic-summit/

Business leaders from Petoskey, Boyne City, Onaway and Bellaire shared working solutions Fridayat the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance’s 2026 economic symposium

05/19/2026

📊 Last week, we attended the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance Economic Symposium and heard findings from the 2026 Economic Pulse report that reinforced something we talk about often: housing has a direct impact on workforce growth, business success, and regional economic development.

Business leaders identified their top barriers to growth as:

👷 Staffing shortages (67%)
🏠 Attainable housing (56%)
👶 Childcare (36%)

These challenges don’t exist in isolation: they are connected.

📈 Businesses estimate they could fill 321 additional jobs with a stronger workforce pipeline.
💰 Those positions could generate an estimated $67.95 million in additional revenue over the next two years.
🏘️ Local leaders ranked Workforce Housing among the most desired types of development in the region.
👥 The region’s labor force continues to face pressure from an aging population, increasing the need to attract and retain younger workers.

This is why we continue saying: housing is economic development.

When communities invest in housing, they’re also investing in employers, workforce retention, economic resilience, and long-term growth.

Thank you to the NLEA for sharing these insights and continuing important conversations about the future of our region.