HOUSING READY PROGRAM
A QUARTERLY UPDATE FROM HOUSING NORTH
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Zachary Hillyer, the Housing Ready Director for Leelanau County and has been working nonstop in Leelanau towards housing solutions and helping Leelanau become Housing Ready! Some of Zach's big activities of this quarter are:
- Worked with the Leelanau Township Planning Commission to complete the Housing Ready Checklist and is reviewing potential housing strategies as it works to complete an updated Master Plan. Zach has attended recent meetings where the commission discussed housing and provided commissioners with information and resources to help them consider housing-ready strategies.
- Zach submitted a letter of support and provided public comments in support of proposed zoning changes initiated by Peninsula Housing to increase density in certain zoning districts in the Village of Suttons Bay. These changes are still under consideration.
- The Suttons Bay Township Planning Commission is reviewing the Housing Ready Checklist as it works to complete zoning ordinance updates and review its current Master Plan. Zach had the opportunity to provide commissioners with information and data on housing topics.
- Work with the Village of Suttons Bay which also completed the Housing Ready Checklist and included strategies from the checklist as housing action items in its draft Master Plan. The Master Plan is currently out for public review.
- Bingham Township is working with Networks Northwest on an updated Master Plan, which includes ways to help address its housing needs.
- The Leelanau County Housing Action Committee (HAC) is in the process of distributing hard copies of the Michigan Association of Planning’s Zoning Reform Toolkit to all 14 Planning Commissions in the County thanks to Sharon Oriel, (a HAC member and Housing North Board Vice President), and Zach who distributed a copy of the toolkit to the Glen Arbor Township Planning Commission. Glen Arbor Township is featured in the toolkit as a case study/best practice for minimum dwelling unit size on pg. 58.
Promoting the Housing Ready Checklist, reviewing ordinances, and gathering community data has been a priority for Zach. If you'd like to speak with Zach and learn more about his role and work in Leelanau, please click here.
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Emmet County has a lot of initiatives and projects going on. Andrea has been supporting diverse tasks that range from creating awareness about housing, supporting the development of partnerships, reviewing master plan updates to advocating for specific housing projects. Some of Andrea's time has also been spent:
- Ongoingly working with Little Traverse Township and Resort Township to finish the updates to their Master Plan.
- Supporting Emmet County as they streamline text and definitions in their zoning code while prioritizing missing middle housing and higher density infill.
- Supporting Harbor Springs Planning Commission as they re-evaluate ordinance language according to the Michigan Association of Planners Housing Reform Toolkit.
- Harbor Area Residential Trust - First home purchased! Currently rehabilitating house and seeking qualified potential buyers.
- Andrea has also been busy advocating for different housing projects such as Crooked River Circle (36 new dwelling units on 12 undeveloped residential lots using the new Emmet County zoning), Lofts at Lumber Square (60 workforce apartments), City Park Grill (5 unit Rental Rehabilitation), Howard Properties (40-acre site of mixed-income dwellings apartments, townhomes and single-family homes - Workforce focused).
To learn more about the work in Emmet County, click here and contact Andrea Jacobs today!
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Tracy Davis is the Manistee County Housing Ready Program Coordinator. This year, Tracy has been working on:
- The community Master Plan update and reviewing the Housing Ready Checklist with planning/zoning ordinances. Her work has been focused on promoting ADUs; Minimum Dwelling sizes; Parking requirements; Removal of Discretionary Standards; Removal of Residential Density standards.
- Engaged in discussions with a developer for a potential housing project in Manistee.
- Tracy presented to and officially introduced herself to the Filer Township Board and extended an invitation to join the Housing Action Team Steering Committee.
- Pitched using new $200,000 blight funds to assist Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) homeowners with access to funds if they can't acquire traditional loans. The board is open to entertaining the use of funds in round two of funding once NEZ is established.
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Though Housing North does not have a Housing Ready Program Director placed in these counties, we work and provide technical support towards housing solutions. Some updates of 2023 by county are:
Antrim County:
- Worked with the Village of Mancelona to apply for the State Land Bank Blight Removal Grant Application
- Researched information regarding rental needs for Antrim County
- Followed up with the Village of Ellsworth on housing incentives and initiatives for the community
- Supported the Village of Elk Rapids Request for a Proposal for a housing project on Village-owned land
- Discussed planning for a meeting with landlords to discuss the ways they can be supported to include the housing voucher program
- Applied for technical support funding to expand the Housing Ready Program
Benzie County
- Facilitated Benzie County Housing Collaborative Monthly Meetings (May 2022 to present)
- Attended County Commission and Economic Development Committee (EDC) meetings
- Encouraged housing allocation of ARPA funding
- Toured potential housing site with interested parties for mixed use and follow up meeting
- Attended other organization meetings, including the ABC Housing meeting at the Gathering
- Attended the Homestead Planning Commission open house on Master Plan input and shared housing tools/education opportunities
- Met with Townships and County Land bank, and shared information on blight grant opportunities with local units of government.
- Attended Workforce Housing Overlay workshop in Frankfort
Charlevoix County:
- Launched the Charlevoix Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Program
- Presented at the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce State of the Community event and the Charlevoix County Elected Leaders Summit about Housing, priorities, and the Housing Ready Program
- Accepted two more Deed Restriction for year-round housing (A total of #7 Deed Restrictions)
- April 2023 we will place a Housing Ready Program Coordinator for one year in Charlevoix County
Kalkaska County:
- Worked with the Village of Kalkaska to develop a Housing Action Plan that includes the current status of housing and priorities for action
- Created a Housing Opportunity Map
- Hosted community meetings to discuss housing plan and housing tools
- Supported outreach and local coordination for Blight Elimination Grant for non-land bank counties
Wexford/Missaukee Counties:
- Supported and attended meetings with developers for housing projects
- Presented at the Cadillac Chamber of Commerce and attended meetings with the Cadillac Area Community Foundation, and Alliance for Economic Success
- Supported the outreach efforts during Blight Elimination Grant for Wexford County
- Applied for technical support funding to expand the Housing Ready Program
For more information about the work in these communities or the Housing Ready Program, please contact our Executive Director Yarrow Brown at yarrow@housingnorth.org.
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In Grand Traverse County, Housing North has also been providing technical assistance through the Housing Ready Program and has been working on:
- Identifying areas of need for support and meeting with the Traverse City City Manager, Planning Director, and the County staff while regularly attending public meetings in Traverse City and surrounding townships.
- Participated and provided support for various housing projects, including Homestretch's Lot O project, the former Pugsley site in Fife Lake Township, and two workforce housing projects in downtown Traverse City.
- Reviewed and provided recommendations and edits to housing-ready ordinances in Green Lake and Fife Lake Townships to encourage more housing.
- Engaged with stakeholders to launch a housing survey of employees to help determine the housing needs of our educators and support staff in the region.
- Discussions with many staff and elected officials, including the Village of Kingsley, around housing, permitting and zoning, local incentive programs, and new legislation, including the County Commissioners & Administration, Township leaders, area realtors, municipal attorneys and planning commissioners.
- Actively working with the City of Traverse City on an updated PILOT ordinance, Neighborhood Enterprise Zones, and new housing tools.
- Engaged in many conversations with developers in Grand Traverse County, including Long Lake Township, Traverse City, Garfield Township and East Bay Township.
For more information about the work in Grand Traverse County, please contact our Executive Director, Yarrow Brown, at yarrow@housingnorth.org.
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231-335-1685 info@housingnorth.org
Mailing address: PO Box 1434 Traverse City, MI 49685
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