As part of the Make it in Michigan Strategy, the state of Michigan has new finance tools and opportunities to convert vacant land into housing via the Transformational Brownfield Fund and tax increment funding. The State Land Bank Authority and Michigan Community Capital are working with state, local, and federal organizations to develop attainable workforce housing in their communities.
Established by Governor Whitmer, the Growing Michigan Together Council works to develop a long-term plan of action to address many issues of concern across the state. Different goals include jobs, talent, and people; infrastructure and places; PreK-12 and higher education, and revenue. Block by Block spoke with the Executive Director of the Growing Michigan Together Council and Michigan’s first Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, and Melvin Henley at Community Economic Development Association of Michigan to hear about the council’s report.
As Kent County grows faster than the rest of the state, the community looks at ways to address its ongoing housing shortages. Through government entities, upcoming developers like Housing Next, and seasoned community development financial institutions like IFF, Grand Rapids has a collaborative plan in place to address the issue.
The FHLBank of Indianapolis provides impactful resources for communities in Michigan and provides home repair programs and additional resources to homeowners via lenders like1st State Bank in Saginaw and Metro Community Development Corporation in Flint.
The Allegan County Community Foundation works in myriad ways to connect students with the money donors have gifted for scholarships. Deadlines for 2024 scholarships for college and trade schools are fast approaching.
Block by Block spoke with Lansing and Detroit organizations on how they’re addressing the need for single-family housing in their communities. Building Community Value, based in Detroit, and the Capital Area Housing Partnership, based in Lansing, share their perspectives of the needs and how their resources are serving as building blocks for a better housing ecosystem.
Citizens Research Council, Michigan Municipal League, and Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation weigh in on state's housing needs, regional, minority-driven resources, and development within individual communities.
The recent 11 Community Impact Grants total $928,538, including one of its largest grants to date to the Tri-Cities Family YMCA.
Community-driven revitalization plan for Benton Harbor Empire Corridor envisions a neighborhood transformed into a vibrant haven for all.
After decades of public service at the local, state and county level, Ottawa County Treasurer Amanda Price is retiring at the end of the month. She talks to The Lakeshore about her passion for public service and what’s next.
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