Stay in the Kitchen: Let’s Talk (and Solve This Together)

In our last two newsletters, we asked a simple question:

Can we have real conversations that lead to real solutions?

Now we’re asking you to stay in the kitchen with us because we need your help to reach a practical, lasting solution to our Attainable Workforce Housing crisis. There are no silver bullets or wishful thinking. Just an honest conversation about tradeoffs with achievable pathways and actions that take us forward.

Here is what we are advocating:

Attainable housing for the people who hold this community together.

  • A paramedic and firefighter who can respond in minutes, not miles
  • A teacher who can raise her children down the road from the school
  • Local pharmacists, nurses, and caregivers who can thrive not just survive
  • Service workers in hospitality, retail, transportation, recreation and property maintenance

This isn’t just about homes. It’s about preserving the rural culture, heritage, and year-round vitality that support the quality of life we enjoy.

Our focus is on middle-income working households such as police officers, teachers, first responders, veterans, healthcare workers, and service industry staff buying or renting their first home.

The Plain Truth

When young families can’t live where they work, they eventually relocate and seek employment in areas where they can afford to live.

It’s Happening Right Here in Leelanau and Benzie County

“78% of our first responders live up to 65 miles away.” Bryan Ferguson, Glen Arbor Fire Chief

A few numbers help explain why:

  • Average single-family home price in Leelanau County: $700,000
  • Average annual firefighter salary: $55,136
  • Maximum affordable monthly housing cost: $1,608 (35% of Mo. Income)
  • Monthly P&I mortgage cost: $4,962

The Math Doesn’t Work

Our Solution

SBGC purchases the land (with donor funds) and places the land in a 99-year Community Land Trust to be used for Attainable housing and only allows qualified candidates to purchase the home and avoid the high cost of purchasing the land.  

  • Land Cost: Free
  • Housing Cost: $250,000 ($5,000 money down)
  • Monthly P&I Mortgage cost: ~$1,620.00 (P&I)

What We’re Asking

Here are five meaningful things that will help right now:

  1. Show up and be constructive.
  • SBGC can send you township meeting notices so that you can:
    • Attend when Attainable Housing is on the agenda.
    • Ask your township’s commissioners if they have an attainable workforce plan in their Master Plan.
  1. Talk to your community leaders, ask questions, and let them know you support the efforts for saving the rural character and that attainable housing is needed.
  2. Support practical housing options that fit our communities.
  • Encourage zoning and land-use approaches that allow attainable homes that are thoughtfully designed, appropriately located, and compatible with community character.
  1. Join us.
  • If you can volunteer, connect us to landowners, or contribute to land acquisition for permanently attainable housing, we welcome you.
  1. Let’s talk.
  • Send us an email and let us know your thoughts, comments, and suggestions.
  • If you have any questions or need more information, just ask.

We’re not asking everyone to agree on every detail, but we are asking everyone to help move toward a solution. The future of a community isn’t decided in a single vote or plan. It’s shaped by the people who keep showing up and are willing to sit down together and talk about practical solutions.

Our Commitment

The Sleeping Bear Gateways Council is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization staffed 100% by volunteers.