Housing Tools & Resources

Everyone can work to make a difference and support housing solutions in their community and employers are no exceptions! There are some things employers can do to help bring housing for employees and those who live and sustain our communities! Click here to learn more.

This Pattern Book for new infill construction is focused on housing solutions based on built historic precedents, current housing trends, and primary documentary research. Click here to learn more!

This Toolkit is designed to help municipal leaders implement zoning reform to expand housing solutions and combat the affordability crisis. The document lays out the elements of the housing crisis and creates a case for zoning reform as a necessary intervention. Click here to learn more.

Take a look at this guidebook developed by Main Street! The guidebook is intended for an audience of beginners who have limited experience in the topics of housing and housing development, is a practical and easily digestible report that incorporates the stories and expertise of Main Street Coordinators, local directors, and partners who have experience with housing.

Click here to learn more about programs, alternatives and solutions employers cam explore for housing.

The Networks Northwest Seasonal Population Study for Northwest Lower Michigan provides population data categorized by full-time residents, part-time residents and overnight visitors. Critically important for understanding the region's tourism industry and its relationship to housing, this document provides detailed information for each of the ten Networks Northwest counties.

This resource provides a high-level overview of affordable housing development process and highlights potential funding resources for each phase of development. Click here to learn more.

A land bank authority (LBA) is organized by a county to manage tax foreclosures, and provides important development tools that can support local goals for housing and economic development. Click here and learn more about how they work in your communities. If you’re interested in learning more about Land Banks, visit our Youtube Channel and watch the recordings of webinars and events held on the topic.

Click here to learn more about using Land Bank Authorities as a housing solution.

The ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report is the most comprehensive depiction of need in Michigan to date. Click here and learn more about the report.

According to Networks Northwest, the 2022 Wage Survey gave businesses the opportunity to provide hourly and salary wage information for 29 job families containing a total of 677 job titles. Networks Northwest collaborated with multiple business and community partners to conduct the survey which targeted businesses of all sizes, within all industries, throughout the 10-county region. Click here to access it.

MSHDA lead the development of Michigan's first collaborative statewide housing plan establishing priority areas, strategies and specific actions to support housing development in the State of Michigan. Click here to see the plan and learn more.

This document provides information on the findings regarding the housing needs in the State of Michigan click here to learn more.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority sets income and rent guidance annually for each county in Michigan which guides development and establishment of needs and resources in each community. To learn more about the current income limits, please click here.

The Center for Neighborhood Technology offers a mapping and data tool to identify housing and related costs for some communities. Click here to learn more.

This introductory guidebook is intended to provide basic information to citizens that haven't been closely involved in the planning process, but would like to shape future changes in their community.

Missing Middle Housing or MMH is a range of house-scale buildings with multiple units that are compatible in scale and form with detached single-family homes and located in a walkable neighborhood. According to the missing middle website (opticosdesign.com) Missing Middle Housing is affordable by design and is often referred to as “naturally occurring affordable housing” or “NOAH,” There are many reasons to consider MMH- to address not only housing shortages but also affordability. “Missing Middle Housing is a proven, affordable-by-design housing solution that meets the growing demand for walkable neighborhood living. It provides a “missing middle” option between subsidized housing and market-rate mid- to high-rise housing (Parolek 2016).“ Click here to watch the Missing Middle Keynote Address at the 2020 Northwest Michigan Housing Summit.

Treasury worked with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to publish a How-to Guide for Affordable Housing. The purpose of the guide is to assist recipients in implementing their funds for affordable housing. It provides a summary of relevant SLFRF guidance and provides information on ways recipients can combine different sources of federal funds.

The Sleeping Bear Gateways Council works to address the infrastructure needs of the villages and businesses within 60 miles of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

One of the unique challenges facing gateway communities in Leelanau and Benzie Counties is the lack of regional housing options for workers, especially during the summer season and autumn shoulder season. Click here to access their workforce housing study published on July 2020.

Visit this link to find resources for community organizers—nonprofit leaders, economic development professionals, and government officials—and those looking to create aggregated pools of capital for local investing.

Visit National Coalition for Community Capital website to explore their resources, toolkit and alternatives to investing in your community.