2025 Annual Report FINAL

2025 ANNUAL REPORT

CREATING PATHWAYS AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR HOUSING IN NORTHWEST MICHIGAN

A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT Housing North continues to make meaningful strides in advancing solutions and building momentum around our region’s most pressing challenge—attainable housing. As we look ahead, we remain committed to deepening partnerships and driving impactful action to ensure our communities are able to thrive for years to come.

Sarah Van Horn

HOUSING NORTH BOARD PRESIDENT

Housing IS moving forward across Northwest Michigan.

UNITS SUPPORTED

1965

UNITS IN PROGRESS

4864

PERMITS PULLED

1449

45

DEVELOPERS AND PROJECTS ASSISTED

In 2025, Housing North helped move housing from concept to construction across Northwest Michigan.

Through the Housing Ready Program, we supported the development of 1,965 units through technical assistance, planning, partnerships, funding readiness, and the use of key housing tools. We worked alongside developers and projects to navigate initiatives that encourage development. This momentum is reflected in the 1,449 permits pulled, signaling projects advancing into construction.

03

BUILDING AWARENESS

Launch of the Housing Zoning Atlas Unlocking Housing Potential

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

In 2025, Housing North launched the Housing Zoning Atlas (HZA) across eight counties in Northwest Michigan (Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Manistee).

This effort created a standardized dataset on local zoning, translating complex regulations into clear, accessible insights that help communities identify where housing can be built and better understand infrastructure capacity and development constraints. The Housing Zoning Atlas now serves as a key planning tool for developers, planners, and local leaders, helping unlock new housing opportunities and support data-driven decision-making.

A key highlight of this work is the Grand Traverse County Housing Growth Opportunity Map, developed in partnership with Grand Traverse County, Housing North, and Flywheel. Building on the Housing Zoning Atlas data, this interactive planning tool helps communities identify where housing can be built most efficiently and responsibly by analyzing access to existing roads, water, and sewer infrastructure.

The map also supports environmental stewardship by excluding protected lands and areas with natural constraints such as wetlands and steep slopes, helping communities balance housing growth with preservation of natural areas and community character. Together, these tools support collaborative, sustainable, and datainformed housing planning across the region.

04

EXPANDING CAPACITY Sharing tools. Building understanding. Advancing housing.

Building housing solutions starts with informed communities. Throughout 2025, Housing North convened local leaders, residents, developers, employers, and community partners through educational events to increase awareness of housing challenges and connect communities with practical, locally relevant tools and solutions. These efforts helped communities better understand housing needs, explore policy and financing tools, and identify actionable strategies to advance housing. Throughout the year, Housing North provided workshops, presentations, and webinars across the region, including: Housing Tools Workshops in Emmet County and the Village of Northport featuring discussions on master plan updates, HTIF financing, PILOTs, and regional employer housing needs.

Presentations to local governments, including Emmet County and the Village of Empire, on attainable housing districts and PILOTs. Presentations to the AES Housing Group serving Wexford and Missaukee counties on the Housing Zoning Atlas, zoning reform, HTIF, and revolving loan funds.

Community discussions and presentations on Community Land Trusts.

Workshops and webinars focused on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

Webinars on housing tools, communication strategies, and Regional Housing Funds.

Housing Zoning Atlas open houses, webinars, and tailored community presentations across Northwest Michigan.

Bringing tools and learning directly to Northwest Michigan.

13

464

EVENTS & TRAININGS

ATTENDEES

25+

400+

COMMUNITIES REACHED

STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGED

05

EXPANDING CAPACITY Housing Ready Program

Laying the groundwork for housing development The Housing Ready Program brings together the people, resources, and tools needed to move housing forward.

In 2025, this work translated into real momentum across Northwest Michigan, strengthening connections that helped turn local ideas into developments moving toward construction, partnerships and local initiatives.

Projects moving forward: 252 Unit Lakelynn Apartments project in Cadillac.

41 Senior housing units in Manistee.

12 Unit development in St. James Township in Charlevoix County.

146 units targeted for households below 120% of area median income (AMI) in Bellaire (Bellaire Lofts).

Advancing funding and partnerships:

S ource: Ar temis D evelopment

$500,000 CDBG CHILL Grant secured in Manistee County to support critical home repairs and preserve existing housing stock Senior Home Share Network launched in Grand Traverse County to expand affordable housing options for seniors and support aging in place East Jordan sites (Boat Launch & Mt. Bliss) advanced through connections to Michigan Community Capital and infrastructure planning to unlock housing development Development of the Leelanau County Housing Action Strategy led, alongside the Housing Collaborative, to align local housing efforts.

From planning support to action and development: Supported zoning, planning, and site readiness across Benzie, Charlevoix, and Manistee counties, laying the groundwork that makes housing development possible.

06

REGIONAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP (RHP) From statewide strategy to local impact

Regional coordination

Tools & data in action

Led implementation of the Regional Housing Plan by convening the RHP Annual Meeting (January) and coordinating with workgroups to define priorities and guide regional actions.

Promoted the use of housing tools (PILOTs, TIFs, Zoning Atlas, ADUs) through trainings and workshops across multiple counties, alongside a regional water and sewer infrastructure study to guide development.

Workgroups & priority action Activated RHP workgroups to advance priority areas, including housing ecosystem, housing stock, and preventing and ending homelessness. Workgroups refined goals and strategies, coordinated with chairs to define focus areas, and advanced actions to support regional housing solutions, including senior housing initiatives and expanded education and awareness around tools such as PILOTs and TIFs. Housing North also participated in the Grand Traverse County Homelessness Task Force, an independent community-led effort focused on strengthening coordination and regional responses to homelessness.

As the MSHDA-designated Regional Housing Partnership (RHP) Lead for Region D under Michigan’s Statewide Housing Plan, Housing North coordinates regional efforts to develop and implement an action plan that addresses housing needs across Northwest Michigan. Housing North is advancing the needs of Northwest Michigan within statewide initiatives such as MSHDA’s Statewide Housing Plan.

By reporting, informing, and supporting implementation, the RHP ensures regional priorities are clearly defined, recognized, and positioned for solutions that reflect the unique needs of our communities.

07

INFLUENCING POLICY Shaping policy and aligning regional needs with statewide housing strategies

Policy advocacy remains a core pillar of our work, and 2025 was no exception. While the year brought a complex and evolving policy landscape in Michigan, it also created opportunities to advance key priorities and secure meaningful progress for housing across our region.

Shifting the approach: Housing North, alongside statewide partners, successfully advocated for $3 million in Zoning Reform Grants included in the final state budget.

This investment will support communities in modernizing zoning regulations and reducing barriers to housing development.

Regional investment strategy: To address funding gaps and provide long-term stability, Housing North advanced the Rapid Response Housing Fund (RRHF), a regional financing tool designed to support housing development regardless of fluctuations in the state budget. In 2025, Housing North pursued a $10 million state budget request to capitalize the fund and expand access to low- and no-cost financing for attainable housing across the region.

Priorities moving forward: Throughout 2025, Housing North and our partners advanced several critical policy conversations and initiatives: Drafted legislation to extend the Residential Facilities Exemption and Attainable Housing Program beyond its 2027 sunset, ensuring continued use by communities.

Collaborated on statewide efforts to address regulatory barriers to housing, including legislation regarding zoning reform, regulatory reform, and zoning incentives.

08

NWM HOUSING SUMMIT Regional leadership & innovation

The 2025 Housing Leadership, Champion Advocate, and Funders Award winners: celebrated for their transformative impact on housing in Northwest Michigan.

Each year, the Northwest Michigan Housing Summit brings together local leaders, housing professionals, developers, planners, advocates, funders, and community members to discuss shared challenges and practical opportunities. Centered around the 2025 theme, “Rooted in Community: Housing Solutions for Collective Impact,” the Summit welcomed more than 120 attendees for two days of learning, collaboration, and action-oriented discussion focused on advancing housing solutions across Northwest Michigan. By creating space for cross-sector collaboration and knowledge sharing, the Summit continues to support the partnerships and local capacity needed to move housing solutions forward.

At the Summit, Housing North honors individuals and organizations whose leadership, advocacy, and dedication are driving meaningful change. In 2025, Housing North honored Jane MacKenzie with the Housing Leadership Award, Dan Buron and Nora Dunlop with the Champion Housing Advocate Award, and Huntington Bank with the Funders Award for their outstanding leadership and commitment to expanding housing opportunities across the region.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Summit sponsors, partners, speakers, and attendees whose support helps make this event possible each year.

GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT DONORS

EVENT SPONSORS

Thomas and Jodi Adams Suan Ager Jim and Jan Bardenhagen Joe and Nancy Belton Francis Kay Bond Lindsey Bur Frank Clements Anna Courtade Elizabeth Faulkner Richard and Barbara Foster Ashley Halladay-Schmandt Bill and Debbie Hershey Bo Inthivong and Brad Lonberger Janet Koch Daniel Lisuk Jillian Manning Larry Mawby and Lois Bahle Josh Mills Patrick and Sharon Oriel Nicholis Pandolfi and Juliana Lisuk Jared Pickman Jen Rigterink Chris Romero Gary Scheuren Armen and Marie-Claude Shanafelt Eric Shertzing Scott and Dibby Smith Matthew Tamm and Cindy Okerlund Dean and Carrie VanderMolen Sarah VanHorn Beth Verhey Carol Waters Kevin Weber and Nancy Gallagher

4Front Credit Union AAANM Allen Edwin Residential Builders LLC Artemis Development Aspire North Realtors CEDAM Cherry Republic Cinnaire DTE Energy Edson Community Partners LLC Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis Fishbeck Consulting Grand Traverse County Huntington Bank IFF Independent Bank Lake Michigan Credit Union Michigan Manufactured Housing RV & Campground Association Michigan State Housing Development Authority MSU Federal Credit Union Munson Healthcare Networks Northwest Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency Priority Health Progressive Companies Shorts Brewing State Land Bank Authority Traverse City Housing Commission Wade Trim Wallick Communities

GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION PARTNERS

BE THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Artemis Companies Brookby Foundation Charlevoix County Community Foundation Cherry Republic Frey Foundation Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation HP Foundation Huntington Bank Little Traverse Tile Works Loud Brothers Productions Manistee County Community Foundation Oryana Food Cooperative Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation United Way of Manistee County

Because of your commitment, we’re building stronger, more resilient communities across Northwest Michigan. Every contribution helps us expand housing solutions, support local leaders, and ensure that everyone has a place to call home. You can support Housing North by donating:

GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AGENCY PARTNERS Antrim County Charter Township of Filer City of East Jordan City of Harbor Springs City of Petoskey Emmet County Grand Traverse County Leelanau County Michigan State Housing Development Authority Resort Township Village of Elk Rapids

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.

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 tax deduction, as well as reduction in capital gains.

PLANNED GIFTS Planned giving include bequests, charitable gifts annuities, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance policies, retirement plans, or other arrangements.

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