Our Projects
The SBGC works to find a balance between the seasonal inflow of visitors who come to vacation while preserving the charm and character of the place we call home.
Attainable Housing
A community is strongest when the people who take care of it can also live in it.
Our purpose is to create a sustainable, privately funded approach that helps strengthen our community—without adding pressure to local government budgets or altering the special character of our area.
Our Goal:
Support the creation of 300 long-term attainable homes for the people who help Leelanau County thrive every day.
Our Approach
Sleeping Bear Gateways Council (SBGC) raises private philanthropic funds to purchase land that is suitable for attainable workforce housing. Once acquired, the land is placed into a Community Land Trust (CLT) for about 99 years, ensuring long-term affordability guided by:
- State of Michigan CLT requirements
- HUD guidelines
- Proven resale and stewardship formulas
By removing the land cost from the equation, homes become much more attainable—and they stay affordable for future generations.
Collaboration in Our Lakeshore Communities
By partnering with our County, Townships, Villages, and local non-profits, we can create practical, community-focused housing solutions for the people who serve Leelanau County every day.
SBGC is not seeking funding or tax dollars. Instead, we hope to collaborate on zoning pathways that make attainable homes possible—allowing modest, attractive, family-friendly homes on ¼-acre lots where appropriate. We are simply asking local governments to consider:
- Allowing higher-density zoning where appropriate
- Providing variances or zoning adjustments for parcels that can support attainable housing
- Offering streamlined or expedited reviews for community-led housing efforts
These supportive steps require no new public spending, yet they can open the door to homes that local families can truly afford and help keep the heart of our community strong for generations.
Get Updates from SBGC
Support Sleeping Bear Gateways Council community by signing up for our Newsletter to stay informed about our projects and initiatives aimed at preserving and enhancing the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore gateway communities.
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Website photos courtesy Mark Smith & Leelanau.com