Housing North Year End Publication

housingnorth.org

AMESSAGEFROMOUR EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR

Yarrow Brown

When I took this position in May of 2020, I took a chance, seeking a change and a new challenge. We were in the midst of a global pandemic and I was taking on a new regional housing nonprofit organization from an amazing leader known as the "housing guru," Sarah Lucas. Her inspiration, background, and expertise, along with the support of the Housing Solutions Network and other funders and partners, helped to create Housing North, the first regional organization in northwest Michigan focused solely on housing. The challenge in front of us was great, but we had a lot of support behind us and a lot of people looking to us to address the housing problem. They knew it would take time and we could not do it alone. Without our key funding partners, Rotary Charities of Traverse City, the Frey Foundation, and Networks Northwest we would not have been able to build the organization and get to the place we are today.

Our first phase involved creating a strategic plan, communications plan, and legislative priorities. A public awareness campaign, Homes for our Future, was about to launch when the rise of Covid 19 caused everything to change and we had to switch gears. We were unable to host round table discussions or in person events around the region which were integral to the public awareness campaign’s success. Yet, we kept the momentum going, as the Target Market Analysis data showed we needed more than 15,000 homes in our 10 county region from 2020 to 2024.

We continued to share our Communications Toolkit and Housing Ready Checklist as we reached out to the many communities we serve, asking them to support the housing opportunities, understand the barriers to housing, and work towards becoming Housing Ready. After March 2020, housing would come to be the top priority of almost every community in northwest Michigan, alongside child care and mental health.

I heard on a housing podcast the other day that we are no longer in a housing crisis. It is an emergency. I don’t want to overplay this statement, but I also agree. It’s not just northern Michigan. This is a national crisis. We are short millions of homes in the United States. It’s hard to feel like we are making progress or a difference when we know it is such an emergency to find housing for our residents.

Every week, we get calls from people in need of housing and unsure where to go. We hear stories that break our hearts, and we wish we could do more.

While it feels hopeless, there is progress being made and we have a lot of amazing people helping to change the housing system and create significant results. Housing North is not doing this alone, but we are laser focused on this issue. Our work is to collaborate, facilitate, and support housing in our 10 county region, removing barriers and helping create housing that is safe and affordable.

There are many nonprofit developers in our region like Homestretch, which is working on at least three major projects including Lot O in Traverse City and the Marek Road project in Leelanau County. The Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region is working on creative partnerships, such as the Maple City duplexes that will provide homes for 6 families.

Northern Homes Community Development Corporation is working on a Brownfield/TIF project for single family homes in Charlevoix County and our Community Foundation partners continue to lead and fund initiatives that are integral to housing. There are also numerous projects in Traverse City, Acme, East bay and Garfield Townships, and in Charlevoix, Benzie, Manistee, Leelanau and Emmet counties that involve private and public partnerships.

We have the tools in our region to change. We just need the technical support and willingness to put them to work. The same tools used in urban areas can be expanded to rural communities, and we are here to help. We have a community figuring out how to become "Housing Ready" with support from Housing North, our funding partners, grass roots advocacy groups and organizations. We are making progress, yet the demand is real and the challenge in front of us is great. Increased development costs, taxes, and unbalanced wages, have made it impossible to build housing at an affordable rate for the majority of our work force. Housing IS community development and investing in housing means investing in our community

This work takes strategy, patience and collaboration, but I believe we have what it takes. Thank you for supporting us, believing in us, and working alongside us.

Sincerely,

ITTAKESCOURAGE

By Carlin Smith, Housing North Board President

I am so proud to be leading this organization, seeing the significant progress we have made since Housing North was officially formed in 2018. Despite the housing emergency we face as a country, and in the northwest Michigan region, I am encouraged by things I see happening in Housing North’s 10 county service area thanks, in large part, to our generous donors and partners.

I’ve seen developers who refuse to give up on challenging housing projects. I’ve seen elected and appointed leaders of local units of government do an about face in terms of their understanding of housing issues, who now support necessary zoning changes when they were previously opposed. I’ve seen philanthropic organizations raise funds to help close financial gaps in local housing initiatives, and I’ve seen organizations like Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity turn their faces into the storm to continue to build houses despite the economic adversity they face.

I started working on the housing crisis in 2017 as part of the new Little Traverse Bay Housing Partnership, a grassroots organization that formed in Emmet County We naively set out to develop a duplex community in Harbor Springs. It was a critical learning experience for us all. When the numbers were crunched between what we wanted our tenants to pay in rent, and what the project would cost, the financial gap was startling. I remember the reaction in the room when the numbers were revealed. It was clear that it would not be possible for us to move forward with that initiative.

Things only got worse from there, as the cost of building materials skyrocketed during the pandemic along with the subsequent supply chain shortage and inflationary period. To address inflation, interest rates were raised, adding even more to the cost of housing development. It felt like we’d gone from nearly impossible, to even worse.

I spoke recently with a friend who had been working in the nonprofit world to address housing solutions in his community. “It felt like the equivalent of being asked to cure cancer,” he told me.

That was the best description I’ve heard about working in the housing movement; it’s such an overwhelming challenge. But, like all great challenges, change also brings great rewards.

Just as scientists remain hunched over microscopes in laboratories searching for that magical cancer cure, there are people in northern Michigan trying to find those local housing steps forward. The players include philanthropists, developers, units of government, and local volunteers who understand the critical importance of housing for the success of their communities. I often preach that the communities that figure out housing are the communities that are going to thrive.

I think of the community of Frankfort in Benzie County, where the city is partnering with a local developer on a multi family housing project. They have faced many setbacks, but have shown tremendous perseverance and determination as they continue to push this project across the finish line

We’re in this together. In addition to perseverance it takes courage, fortitude, patience, partnerships, and great risks to pull off each impossible project. I ask you to please join us in continuing to offer financial support to our work, and to offer your encouragement to those in the arena trying to make it happen. We need you. Because of you, we know we can succeed.

Sincerely,

In addition to perseverance it takes courage, fortitude, patience, partnerships, and great risks to pull off each impossible project. I ask you to please join us in continuing to offer financial support to our work, and to offer your encouragement to those in the arena trying to make it happen. We need you. Because of you, we know we can succeed.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

SUPPORT FOR NORTHERN MICHIGAN'S FUTURE

Since 1974, the Frey Foundation has been a respected fixture in Michigan’s philanthropic landscape, working to enhance the lives of children and families, protect natural resources, promote the arts, and build community. As engaged members of the west and northern Michigan communities it serves, the Frey Foundation has a history of cultivating innovative solutions that seek to address complex community problems inclusive of differing perspectives

This was its approach as the growing housing crisis deepened its impact on families, small businesses, and the overall quality of life in northern Michigan. In 2018, the Frey Foundation became a founding partner of a new organization: Housing North. This independent organization would be uniquely designed to provide a laser focus on the systemic issues that are difficult for communities to untangle individually.

These issues include zoning rules, written for a different era, limited access to development financing, and constraints to effective public private partnerships. Frey Foundation believes that with community voice and innovation, these barriers can be removed, and a new and strong foundation for community based collaboration can be built, one that would serve as a stabilizing force for a healthier, more sustainable housing ecosystem in northern Michigan.

The Frey Foundation’s generous support of this bold vision came in the form of a $150,000 grant that in conjunction with a gift from Rotary Charities of Traverse City provided the first two years’ cost of Housing North’s full time executive leadership, as well as contracted communications, marketing, advocacy, and policy work, including the development of community driven strategic, communications, and advocacy plans.

Additional grant support also seated two Housing Ready Program Directors to add capacity and provide boots on the ground technical expertise and community development work in Emmet and Charlevoix counties.

Two years later, with comprehensive programming in place and a growing influence statewide, Housing North again received support from the Frey Foundation to launch Housing North 2.0.

This total funding support of $198, 500 was intended to strengthen communications and policy initiatives, and develop Housing North’s internal capacity to deliver on its promise to foster collaborative housing solutions in northern Michigan.

Recognizing Housing North’s critical role as the backbone organization coordinating systemic housing efforts in northwest lower Michigan, the Frey Foundation is inspired to continue its support of Housing North’s efforts to strengthen the well being of communities by strengthening its housing sector.

For its ability to bring together diverse stakeholders from individuals to businesses, from for profit to nonprofit developers, and from year round to seasonal residents, the Frey Foundation is proud to partner with Housing North as it invites new ideas that work for northern Michigan

In 2022, Frey Foundation continues their commitment to Housing North by approving a $65, 000 grant to fund a Housing Needs Assessment, communications strategy and housing database support for our 10 county region.

Strengthening the well-being of communities

INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE

For more than 40 years, Rotary Charities has stood at the forefront of philanthropy in the Grand Traverse region. Working in partnership with changemakers, they provide funding, learning, and connections to address our region’s complex problems and create community assets for all.

When they created the Transformation Fund in 2016, it was part of their strategy to meet community needs. They wanted to explore whether they could have more of a transformative impact by moving “upstream” within an issue, exploring beyond the acute and emergent problem to suss out the real reasons things were not changing. Housing issues were identified as an example of a widespread and complex problem that could only be solved at a systems level

In 2018, Rotary Charities was moved to financially support the founding of a new organization that proposed using systems thinking to address our region’s housing crisis: Housing North. After initial funding discussions, it became clear that an additional foundation partner would be needed, and Rotary Charities’ $191,000 in Transformation Grants (2018 and 2019) was joined by a leadership gift from The Frey Foundation to build a regional organization that would help remove barriers and better the housing system in northwest Michigan.

This joint foundational funding allowed Housing North to address communications around housing issues, tackling public perceptions and mindset about housing, while also developing a strong advocacy arm to influence policy so that all stakeholders would have access to diverse tools to cultivate attainable housing. The funding would also provide technical services to units of government, individuals, and for and non profit developers alike

Pleased with the progress they had already seen, in 2020, Rotary Charities awarded Housing North a $125,000 Systems Change Accelerator grant to help implement the next phase of their work: expanding the Housing Ready Program, continuing policy and advocacy work, expanding tools and resources for communities, and developing a shared capacity model for housing (Community Land Trusts).

In 2022, Housing North received further support from Rotary Charities in the form of an Assets for Thriving Communities grant, which directed $30,000 toward the Housing Ready Program in Leelanau County, closing the funding gap to allow this critical work to continue in a county where 43% of the population is considered Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed (ALICE). It also provides technical support in three other counties for one year through a contracted position.

Sakura Takano Chief Executive Officer Rotary Charities

FUNDING ROUND GOALS:

2018-2019: 2020:

These grants helped form the organization, including developing comprehensive programming and deepening partnerships to accelerate local action to increase the supply of homes in the 10 county region. This included the launch of the Housing Ready program in Emmet and Charlevoix counties.

"Housing is a top priority for communities throughout northern Michigan, but the solutions to this complex issue don't come in a one-size-fits-all approach. Housing North's diligent work with cross-sector partners is driving durable change by creating new resources, leveraging existing tools, and building support for housing solutions that will enable communities to meet their diverse housing needs."

Support to broaden our impact around communications, policy initiatives, and capacity. The funds were designated for support of Housing North as the backbone organization coordinating housing efforts in Northern Michigan.

2022: Expand the Housing Ready Program to Leelanau County and Technical support for Housing Ready program in Antrim, Benzie and Grand Traverse counties

HOUSINGIN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

Bradley, Housing North Policy Intern

The need for housing is as prevalent as ever in northern Michigan. From Traverse City to Cheboygan, housing prices are rising, leaving local workers and families behind. Since 2010, home prices in northern Michigan have risen by 70% while median household incomes have only increased by 36%. While home prices increase twice as fast as incomes for our residents, inflation has made the situation even more dire. We at Housing North are dedicated to solving this crisis and making northern Michigan a haven for workers, families, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wishes to live in our beautiful area

There is hope to be had. Over the past year, we have seen exciting developments in local policy, with communities engaging in creative solutions to encourage development and reuse of existing structures for affordable housing. One such community is Frankfort, where a neighborhood enterprise zone (NEZ) has been used to eliminate barriers to affordable development through property tax incentives. Frankfort is incentivizing housing development by offering PILOTs and adopting zoning changes for housing opportunities. We are also seeing many other communities follow suit because of their examples We are seeing many other communities follow suit.

For northern Michigan communities, there is no silver bullet. Every community is facing unique challenges and will require unique solutions. Housing North is prepared to assist communities in finding the right solution for them.

COMMUNITIES ENGAGING IN CREATIVE HOUSING SOLUTIONS:

Charlevoix County embracing the new tools for housing and piloting a Accessory Dwelling Unit program

City of Charlevoix launched a Deed Restriction Program for year round housing in partnership with Housing North. Benzie, Leelanau, Manistee and Grand Traverse counties developing programs for State and Fiscal Recovery Funds or ARPA dollars.

City of Frankfort supporting a new Community Land Trust (CLT) and developing a Workforce Overlay

City of Manistee is using a Developer Matrix and Housing Action Plan. Leelanau County's new CLT (Peninsula Housing) and Rental Preservation Program

Village of Kalkaska creating a Housing Action Plan

City of Traverse City providing incentives for affordable housing and making" important zoning changes for housing

Leelanau and Benzie counties creating a community land trust formed to help create affordable housing in perpetuity

Emmet County supporting housing with ARPA funding and embracing zoning changes for housing

Sean

HOUSING READY PROGRAM

BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN YOUR COMMUNITY

HOUSING READY PROGRAM EXPANSION IN OUR REGION:

The Leelanau County Housing Ready Program was initiated by a grant from the Leelanau Township Community Foundation in the Fall of 2021 Housing North used this momentum along with the Leelanau Housing Action Committee and other supporters, to develop a fundraising plan to bring the Housing Ready Program to Leelanau County. We presented a proposal to all units of government, including the 11 Townships and 3 villages, asking for their support through a contract for services. We are very grateful to Leelanau Christian Neighbors, Leelanau County, the Village of Northport, and Bingham Township, who also committed to three years of support

We received grants from Rotary Charities of Traverse City and the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation for the first year of the program. Private individuals and businesses, including the Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce have also supported the position. In September 2022, we welcomed Zach Hillyer as the Leelanau County Housing Ready Program Director. Zach is already working with Leelanau County communities to expand our programs and support their housing goals.

Charlevoix County was the first County to pilot the Housing Ready Program and we are forever grateful for their commitment and innovation. Through the Housing Ready Program in Charlevoix, we launched the Deed Restriction Program for year round housing and an Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) program. Both are programs we hope to expand to other communities.

We honored the Charlevoix four units of government with our Funders Award at the 8th Annual Northwest Michigan Housing Summit.

Thanks to a grant from the Oleson Foundation and Rotary Charities of Traverse City we are able to expand our technical support to three counties (Antrim, Benzie and Grand Traverse) for one year and launch an ADU program in Grand Traverse County. The work will be focused on helping the units of government that are updating their master plans and help remove any barriers to housing, as well as housing opportunity mapping and housing project support.

Housing Ready Program Coordinator

Andrea Jacobs Emmet County Housing Ready Program Director

Director placement in-progress

Zach Hillyer Leelanau County Housing Ready Program Director

Tracy Davis Manistee County

HOUSING READY PROGRAM

A COMMUNITY-WIDE WIN IN MANISTEE!

We've always known that having a home is essential. For thousands of reasons, homes are vital for our families, our growth, and our development. Yet, it wasn't until 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, that we learned that a home was also vital to stay safe

Housing North's Housing Ready Program partners with local units of government and organizations to put boots on the ground to help communities become "housing ready." In 2019, Manistee became a Rising Tide community. Project Rising Tide was a State of Michigan initiative that provided communities with the tools they needed to design and build successful economic frameworks. In this context, Manistee identified housing as a critical priority for the overall well being and growth of the community. Since then, Housing North has been working in Manistee with all hands on deck to bring housing solutions.

In June 2022, with the support of community funding partners such as the City of Manistee and Manistee County, Manistee County Community Foundation, Manistee United Way, Charter Township of Filer, Manistee Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), and the Manistee Housing Commission, Housing North successfully secured a total of $250,000 to assist Housing North in establish its Housing Ready Program in Manistee.

After three years of advocacy, fieldwork, and community engagement, Housing North successfully placed Tracy Davis as the full-time Housing Ready Program Coordinator in Manistee. We are excited for the community's future and how their commitment to sustained development fostered a community wide win.

Dontz, Chairman Manistee County Commissioners

"Raising the quality, quantity, and affordability of housing for current and future residents is a worthy investment. Manistee County is looking forward to helping facilitate change and remove barriers that may exist."

Bill Gambill, Manistee City Manager

Having someone focus on implementing the housing plan, seeking solutions, supporting new development, and working with our Land Bank is great to look forward to. This person can help expand options for those who want to live and work in Manistee, supporting the growth of our community".

Jeffrey

ANDREA JACOBS:

GETTING THINGSDONE

EMMET COUNTY HOUSING READY PROGRAM

Helping Emmet County become “Housing Ready” is an exciting full time job Each day is filled with engaging conversations about everything from funding programs to sewer studies.

I listen, research, then try to figure out who else needs to be in the conversation, usually by asking the Little Traverse Bay Housing Partnership, our local housing advocacy group in Emmet County. The old adage is true: getting things done is more about who you know than what you know. In this race against time to get housing built, a Housing Ready Director is a vital direct connection to the local network of professionals and officials involved in bringing projects to fruition.

In Emmet County, I have helped mission driven developers, large and small, to identify properties, address zoning, create partnerships for infrastructure access, and more. I attend planning commission meetings, help introduce our housing ready checklist to our villages and townships and participate in community conversations around housing I even spent time at the Harbor Springs Farmers market connecting with people and sharing information

“My project would be pushed back at least a couple of years if not for Andrea’s quick and orienting support,” says residential developer Douglas Shaw. Shaw and his partner are making full use of Emmet County’s new allowances for a duplex and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on each lot in residential zones , by creating 36 small homes on 12 undeveloped lots. “Having someone like her in place in a community is like pressing fast forward on what would be years worth of relationship building.”

Jim Anderton, Founder, Executive Chairman Krimson Development

"We have found Andrea’s help invaluable. In fact, it is safe to say that, without her intercessions, we would be months behind where we are now with respect to the several sites we are working to develop.”

HOUSING

Emmet: Manistee County Commission

Frey Foundation

Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation Women Who Care Tip of the Mitt Resort Township City of Harbor Springs City of Petoskey Emmet County (in kind)

Manistee County Community Foundation City of Manistee Manistee County Visitors Bureau United Way of Manistee

City of Manistee Housing

Manistee County Charter Township of Filer

Little Traverse Bay Housing Partnership Leadership Team

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

Finding solutions to address the housing shortcomings of the region involves policy changes at the local, state, and federal levels It also includes unique and innovative partnerships and the development of relationships with decision makers to ensure that the region's collective voice is heard. Housing North works to remove the barriers to housing solutions, including those related to policy.

As one of the leading advocates of the Housing Michigan Coalition, Housing North has been actively advocating for a package of workforce housing bills designed to give local units of government and organizations more tools to get housing projects off the ground and completed in a reasonable timeframe.

These bills passed the Senate with overwhelming bi partisan support in June 2021, languished in the House Local Government committee until May 2022, and made it to the House floor in late June before they were pulled at the last minute.

With input from the Housing North Advocacy Committee, Housing North has developed an Advocacy Strategy, and is continuing to work with Borealis Strategic to advocate for policy pillars:

Taxes: Develop a new and innovative tax structure for property owners seeking to provide long term (greater than one month) rental housing for the workforce.

QAP Changes for rural communities: Amend the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) to better address rural housing needs in the region.

Vacation rentals: Mitigate impacts of short term rentals on year round housing stock.

Funding: Create new and preserve existing revenue streams that can be used for housing initiatives.

Rural Interests: Ensure that rural housing and related needs are considered part of the structure of state government.

We are excited to report that the Housing Michigan Coalition Bill package (#4 bills) passed the House of Representatives on November 10, 2022. This is a HUGE win for housing. The bills are headed back to the Senate for concurrence with the House substitutes and will then be sent to the Governor for her signature.

What are the four bills and why are they so exciting?

The housing legislation is specifically designed to address various bottlenecks to workforce housing development, including:

Establishment of Attainable Housing Districts that will offer tax incentives for housing developments that target income qualified households, including dormant properties previously used as commercial or industrial sites.

Creating Residential Facility Exemptions offering specific tax exemptions for income eligible housing projects.

Expanding PILOT or Payment in Lieu of Taxes pacts with local governments for projects dedicated to workforce housing opportunities on a long term basis

Expansion of the state’s Neighborhood Enterprise Zone legislation offering financial incentives for the creation of workforce housing.

There is still work being done on a supplemental bill to support housing and the TIF bill will likely need to be reintroduced next year, which will be a priority for us immediately.

HOUSING MICHIGAN COALITION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

VISIT HOUSINGMICHIGAN.WEEBLY.COM

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY THE BILLS

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING

(TIF) BILL

Senate Bills 1152, 1153, 1154, and 1155 would allow tax increment financing (TIF) to support housing development activities. These bills were introduced in September 2021 and Housing North has actively advocated for them since then.

COMMUNITY LAND

TRUSTS

(CLTS) BILL

Bills 1141 and 1142 seek to strengthen Community Land Trusts (CLTs). CLTs are a housing tool growing in popularity around the state and across the country that are private, nonprofit, community based organizations designed to ensure community stewardship of land and affordable housing for low income residents, without reducing local revenues from property taxes.

There continues to be reason for optimism as new packages of bills have been introduced this fall. Housing North has had a busy run of policy work in 2021 2022 and we are confident that this hard work will pay off in the form of both new and reinforced housing development tools for northwest Michigan.

MOREADVOCACYACTION

Since its founding, Housing North has made it a priority to engage in strategic state policy initiatives. To that end, we have been working with diverse stakeholders and partners in initiatives like:

Work with the Coalition for a Strong and Prosperous Michigan to launch the Michigan Prosperity Roadmap, a comprehensive and strategic roadmap to invest American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds. The plan capitalizes on the economic value of thriving communities, advances equity, builds community wealth, supports entrepreneurship, prioritizes the need for talent, and spurs business development. In the plan, Housing North and Coalition members propose the investment of funds to support Housing Ready Communities across our region.

Hosting roundtables, community events and advocating for changes in MSHDAs low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program to better address the needs of rural communities in northern Michigan.

Housing North testified in front of the House Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee on the housing needs and support needed for Northern Michigan as they reviewed the bills backed by Housing North and the Housing Michigan Coalition that just passed this November.

Development of training materials, communications toolkit, webinars and training sessions to support housing advocacy in our region.

Participated in the Michigan's State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) feedback process to support and launch the first Michigan Statewide Action Plan

Housing North testimony in front of the House Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee

SENATOR WAYNE SCHMIDT Honored with the 2022 Champion Housing Advocate award at the Northwest Michigan Housing Summit.

YOURSUPPORTMATTERS

YOUR NEIGHBORS INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE

I understand the challenge

"I support Housing North as a monthly donor because I have personally felt the pains of trying to find a home in this region and I would like to contribute toward alleviating this burden for others. In addition, I appreciate that Housing North looks at the housing crisis holistically; housing is interconnected with other issues our communities face, from poverty to healthcare disparities. As Housing North shows in its wide reaching work, when we work together, we can help our region become a place where people of all income levels can call home."

Talking about roots...

"Absent a collaborative effort at the scale and scope that Housing North is taking on, our community make up will change, our businesses will continue to struggle to fill open positions, and Petoskey will be out of reach for most working class people It is a privilege to support Housing North and be a small part of the change they are seeking. My passion is to be a part of system change so that the way we order our communities, states, and nations brings about a more abundant, fulfilling, and life sustaining world. These changes start at the roots of our local places, and having a place to live is pretty darn foundational when talking about roots."

Housing North Funding

Derek Shiels, Emmet County resident

Kristina Pepelko, Grand Traverse County resident

THE MOST TOOLS IN THEIRTOOLBOX

At Cherry Republic, my leadership team and I spend an enormous amount of time overcoming the challenges resulting from the shortage of rental housing in our region. We cannot find housing for our seasonal staff. We cannot find housing for our year round staff, which means we are creating housing, which is ironic. We should be selling cherries, but we spend way too much time managing and talking about housing.

If housing was not such a challenge for my workers, I could focus on what we do best: selling cherries and creating a great experience for those who visit our stores. My kids would have a full roster of teammates for their sports team. My favorite restaurant would be open on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday night. We'd have a bank, year round gas station, and a doctor in Glen Arbor

The future looks tough Our community is becoming a shell of a community It goes beyond the shortage of workers, there is a shortage of business owners and service providers

Housing North is helping make the housing shortage issue understood by more citizens They are finding dedicated year round staff to help correct this issue, but we cannot solve this issue with volunteers and donations alone It needs to be an all hands on deck situation with financial support from all governmental entities: federal, state, county and township They all must put in money to make this happen.

We will continue to support Housing North because we believe that it is going to take efforts from every corner of the region to fix this issue. Plus, I think Housing North has the best handle on the issues and the most tools in their toolbox to solve these issues.

Learn more about Cherry Republic and their work at cherryrepublic.com

Bob Sutherland, Business Owner, Cherry Republic

"There is a fire in the house. When that happens, you don't turn help away from anywhere."

FINDINGSOLUTIONSTOGETHER

8TH ANNUAL NORTHWEST MICHIGAN HOUSING SUMMIT

The 8th annual Northwest Michigan Housing Summit took place in Traverse City this past October. The event brought together community leaders, housing agencies, financiers, other partners, and members of the public to focus on expanding housing throughout the region. It included over 200 participants, numerous educational sessions with expert speakers and presenters, and the presentations of the organization’s annual Housing Leadership, Champion Housing Advocate, and Funders’ awards.

The Housing Summit is an annual opportunity for communities, businesses, developers, housing agencies, and advocates to learn from national, state, and regional experts about emerging housing solutions. This year’s theme was advocacy, considering the impact advocacy has had on so many relevant topics regarding housing development and legislation.

“The content was truly amazing, I made some great connections and really valued the networking opportunities… it was just a fantastic and worthwhile two days.” Maryl Kohl, Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

At this year’s event, we were happy to announce that the Consumers Energy Foundation has generously committed $100,000 in matching funds to launch the Rental Reservation Project. This pilot project, contingent on Housing North raising $100,000 in matching support by December 31, 2022, will facilitate a minimum of two affordable housing projects in Leelanau County, as well as create a replicable public private model for other regional entities desperate to address their communities’ housing crises.

A State of the Region housing report delivered by Yarrow Brown, our Executive Director where she indicated more than 1,000 housing units are in progress across the 10 county region, with over 4,000 units estimated to have been built since 2019. An estimated 80 to 90 percent of those are still for single family homes

A legislative panel discussion on the Housing Michigan Coalition bills and other legislation in progress for housing.

A presentation from the Michigan Association of Planners on a Zoning Reform Toolkit, including pilot projects that can be replicated in northwest Michigan.

A presentation on a new seasonal workforce study for northwest Michigan presented by Networks Northwest and Beckett & Raeder, Inc The report categorized population data by full time and part time residents and overnight visitors to better understand the region’s tourism industry and its relationship to housing.

Information from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and its new Rural Development Office, and from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), on their combined efforts to implement Michigan’s first state wide housing plan

Summit attendee

Like every year, we are thankful for our sponsors who help make this event happen We hope to count on your support in the launch of our rental preservation program and look forward to seeing you at next year's summit.

Other highlights of the two day Summit included:

“I thought the housing summit had the best content of any one I have ever been to."

WAYSTOGIVE

GIFTS OF CASH

You can make an outright gift or pledge your support. Contributions are eligible for tax deductions.

GIFTS OF STOCK

Stock can be donated and may qualify for both a federal and state tax deduction. If the stock has appreciated in value, you may avoid paying capital gains upon transferring it to Housing North.

HOUSING NORTH BOARD MEMBERS

CARLIN SMITH, PRESIDENT

Consumers Energy Emmet County

SHARON ORIEL, VICE PRESIDENT

Leelanau Housing Action Committee

Leelanau County

TONY LENTYCH, TREASURER

Traverse City Housing Commission Grand Traverse County

JOSH MILLS, SECRETARY

GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE

Real estate can be donated to support attainable housing projects. If the property's value has risen over time, the donation of this appreciated asset may qualify for a state and/or federal tax deduction, as well as reduction in capital gains.

PLANNED

GIFTS

You can create a meaningful legacy in northwest Michigan through a planned gift. Planned giving options include bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance policies, retirement plans, or other arrangements.

City of Frankfort Benzie County

MARYL KOHL

Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce Antrim County

SARAH VAN HORN

Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce

Charlevoix County

HOUSING

PROGRAM: DEED

PROGRAM: ADVOCACY:

RENTAL PRESERVATION PROGRAM:

support our PILOT program funded by a $100K match from Consumers Energy Foundation to take advantage of underutilized financing tools to create below market rate housing.

provide gap financing and grants to support projects. help our communities become housing ready, providing expertise to identify and leverage housing opportunities this program helps balance the unbalanced housing market ensuring our vital workforce can remain in our community. help support our advocacy and communication work

CRAIG ARDIS

Mayor of Lake City Missaukee County

CASH COOK Kalkaska DDA Kalkaska County

MARC MILLER

Director of Economic Development

Manistee Chamber of Commerce Manistee County

Communications

County

JANET KOCH

Manager at Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Wexford

WE ARE THANKFUL FORYOU

Housing North thanks the following funders for their extraordinary generosity, helping to move the needle on our collective housing crisis.

HOUSING NORTH FUNDERS

PRIVATE DONATIONS & FOUNDATIONS

Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan

Aspire North

Susan Ager

Tom Adams

Craig Ardis

Lois Bahle

Yarrow Brown

Charlevoix County Community Foundation

Paul Deyo

Marissa Duque

Frey Foundation

Goodwill of Northern Michigan

Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

Wendy and Paul Greeney

Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region

Kristin Hettich

Janet Koch

Maryl Kohl

Leelanau Christian Neighbors

Leelanau Township Community Foundation

Manistee County Community Foundation

Larry Mawby

Networks Northwest National Christian Foundation Michigan

John O'Neill

Oleson Foundation

Sharon and Pat Oriel

Jan Parsons

Kristina Pepelko

Kate Redman

Rotary Charities of Traverse City

Derek and Adriene Shiels

Carlin and Karen Smith

Gary Sheuren

Scott and Dibby Smith

Stephen Steffes

Nance Temple

Lauren TucKer

United Way of Manistee County

United Way of Northwest Michigan

Mark Vanderklipp

Sarah VanHorn

Women Who Care Tip of the Mitt

BUSINESS DONORS

4 Front Credit Union

Baker College Cherry Republic Cinnaire

Community Economic Development Association Of Michigan (CEDAM)

Consumers Energy Cunningham Limp Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis Fischer's Happy Hour Tavern Fishbeck Consulting Focus & Flow Golden Swan Management Grandpa Shorters Gifts, Inc Great Lakes Sotheby's International Realty Harbor Inc. Hollander Development Corporation Horizon Bank IFF

Independent Bank Krimson LLC

Little Traverse Tileworks Manistee County Visitors Bureau Michigan Community Capital Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)

Northern Building Supply Northern Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA)

Petoskey Rotary Sunrise Charities Inc Place Strategies Inc

Rare Bird Brew Pub Shorts Brewery

Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce

The Borland Group LLC

The Platform Traverse City Tourism Wolverine Building Group

PUBLIC FUNDING SOURCES

Bingham Township

Charlevoix County

Charter Township of Filer City of Boyne City City of Charlevoix

City of East Jordan City of Harbor Springs City of Manistee City of Manistee Housing Commission

City of Petoskey

Leelanau County Manistee County Resort Township Village of Kalkaska

Village of Northport

Visit housingnorth.org/donate to learn more ways that you can support our work.