What beautiful weather we’ve been enjoying! These remarkable warm, sunny days and breathtaking sunsets are exactly why so many of us cherish life in Leelanau County. It’s the season we’ve all been waiting for—a time to gather with family and friends, enjoy our lakes and trails, and appreciate the incredible place we call home. Cheers!
Last month, we discussed the National, State, and County Progress our officials have been making towards the shortage of attainable workforce housing. Again, from The Wall Street Journal to the Leelanau Enterprise and the Glen Arbor Sun, the conversation has become impossible to ignore as more communities experience the consequences of rising housing costs and a shrinking local workforce.
We must continue these conversations as well as the momentum we are making.
What We’re Seeing Locally
Here in Leelanau County, the effects are becoming increasingly visible. As we heard from you, our readers, regarding “Hearing Directly from Community Leaders”:
- Bryan Ferguson, Fire Chief, Glen Arbor Fire Department
- Chad Dygraaf, Assistant Fire Chief, Glen Arbor Fire Department
- Brendan Mullane, Managing Director, Leelanau County Road Commission
Their stories illustrate the very real challenges of recruiting and retaining the people who keep our communities safe and functioning every day.
What we would like to share in this issue is what the Sleeping Bear Gateway Council is doing to further the workforce housing cause in three major areas:
State Action
Here in Michigan, lawmakers are also taking action. The Michigan Senate recently approved Senate Bill 278, legislation that would expand eligibility for housing projects serving families earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) while removing certain geographic restrictions that have limited where housing funds can be used.
“There will be more flexibility for building housing in Michigan that people can afford,” said the bill’s sponsor, Senator Sue Shink.
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), which administers the program, supports the legislation.
“This would give MSHDA the much-needed flexibility in deploying Housing and Community Development Fund resources where they can have the greatest impact to address the unique housing needs of every region in Michigan.”
Land Acquisition
Our Land Acquisition Team has significantly increased community awareness that SBGC is actively seeking property suitable for attainable workforce housing.
This heightened awareness led to serious negotiations with two property owners. While neither opportunity ultimately moved forward, valuable relationships were established, and important lessons were learned.
Today, we are actively engaged with three separate parcels, each presenting unique opportunities and challenges. We remain committed to pursuing every viable opportunity that could provide attainable housing for local workers and families.
Partnerships
We continue to strengthen our partnership with the Leelanau County Housing Collaborative, a coalition of more than fifteen nonprofit and community organizations working together to address workforce housing throughout the county.
Our shared goal is to ensure that the efforts of nonprofits, municipalities, and state agencies complement one another and maximize their collective impact. The Collaborative has recently launched several promising initiatives that we believe will create additional pathways toward meaningful housing solutions.
Community Design
We have also made significant progress developing conceptual designs for both rural and village attainable housing communities in Leelanau County.
Working with professional architects and planners who are generously donating their expertise, we are creating designs that thoughtfully balance economic, environmental, and social sustainability while reflecting the unique character of Leelanau County.
Looking Ahead
Addressing our attainable workforce housing challenge is a marathon, not a sprint.
Long-term success will require thoughtful planning, strong community partnerships, supportive zoning policies, updated master plans, and continued public engagement. While the work is complex, we remain encouraged by the growing recognition that attainable housing is essential to preserving the communities we all value.
We Need Your Help
SBGC is a volunteer-driven organization, and there are many ways to become involved. We are currently seeking volunteers with experience in:
- Social media and digital communication
- Grant writing
- Civil engineering
- Community Land Trust legal guidance
If you have expertise in any of these areas—or simply want to help make a difference—we would welcome the opportunity to talk with you.
Together, we can help ensure that the people who work in Leelanau County can continue to live in Leelanau County.