UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM

Christie Minervini raised her daughter in Traverse City and engages with her community in a variety of ways: involved civic leader, opinion writer, and business owner. She has experienced the attainable housing crisis as a parent and employer, and she understands the complexity of the issue; the things we all love about our region, the aspects that make it so desirable, are also contributing to challenges. “A lot has happened since 2010...it’s just a cooler place. Entertainment, dining, investments in parks and infrastructure; it’s a place people aspire to be. But as an employer, drawing and keeping talent has been challenging.” Limited housing options have forced her employees to live in surrounding communities. “I’ve been bringing in managers from Benzonia and Elk Rapids, and then winter comes and they no longer want to commute. I’ve always paid well above my competitors, but I’m still having a hard time getting people to respond to my ads. Many people think that simply increasing wages will fix things, but that alone won’t do it.”

“I’d love for my 22-year-old daughter to have the opportunity to come home and start a family. She recently graduated from college and could not find a roommate, rental or any way to make it work. There wasn’t anything she could afford under a 1⁄2 hour commute. Even with a college degree, she didn’t have the credit history, which made it difficult.”

– Christie Minervini, community leader, former Traverse City city commissioner, and owner, Santuary Handcrafted Goods

Through her family’s redevelopment company, Christie has been involved in the nationally-significant historic preservation and revitalization project at the former Traverse City State Hospital, known as the Grand Traverse Commons.

“There are two affordable housing projects at the Commons, and we initially experienced a lot of pushback from other owners who thought it might hurt their investments. When in fact, mixed socio-economic housing opportunities create thriving communities. You need a mix to have a high quality of life. I have more concerns about ghost blocks or ghost houses (when a homeowner is there for a short period of time, then leaves property vacant the rest of the year).”

When asked what solutions she hopes to see enacted in our region, Christie suggests, “I would love to see land banks, payment in lieu of tax, taking city-owned property and working with developers to put affordable housing on these lots. The city could partner by donating the lot, or deeply discounting the lot, or placing a deed-restriction on it. There are many leaders who think affordable housing should be self-sustaining, but it’s not possible, it's not sustainable. We have to offer incentives."

A Story All Too Common

As a Benzie County business owner and active community volunteer sees the effects of our region’s attainable housing crisis every day. But, for Trina, the problem isn’t only a public one. For her, it’s also very personal. Like many parents, Trina felt blessed to have her son and daughter-in-law living locally, and when they announced there was a new baby on there was even more cause for celebration. It soon became clear Trina’s family was going to need a larger home to accommodate their growing household, but, despite an exhaustive search, they were unable to find an affordable place to rent in the region. When her daughter-in-law’s job announced a transfer position was available in Lansing, they felt they had no choice but to take it. The Lansing area had an affordable housing inventory that allowed them to choose an appropriately sized home for their growing family. Despite their strong desire to stay in the area, Trina’s family felt forced to relocate.

These dedicated individuals are the MISSING MIDDLE: our hardworking neighbors who earn too much to be eligible for our region’s very limited subsidized housing, but who don’t earn enough to rent - or purchase - a home of their own.

Affordable Housing vs. Attainable Housing

AREA MEDIAN INCOME (AMI) AMI is reset by HUD each year according to inflation and cost of living increases.

The median household income in our 10-county region is $67,570. This means, the people who educate, protect, and enrich our lives —the people who have chosen a life of service—are often the first to be impacted by housing barriers.

•Nurses who car e for us when we’re sick

• Teachers who educate our children

•P olice officers who keep our community safe

•C onstruction tradespeople who make housing solutions possible

•En trepreneurs who are beginning to develop their next great idea

For decades, the attainable housing shortage in northwest Michigan has been recognized as a complex problem with consequences that impact every corner of our communities.

1. L ow-income Housing Tax Credit or LIHTC

2. C ommunity Development Block Grants or CDBG

$437,000

Median new home cost in greater Grand Traverse region

$214,231 Median new home cost throughout state of Michigan

$116,000

Annual income needed to afford home at Grand Traverse region median price.

$67,570 Median household income in Northwest Lower Michigan 2021