After retiring to Glen Lake in 2013, Bill Witler has continued a lifetime of leadership and service, dedicating his time to strengthening the community he has long called home. With deep roots in Glen Lake dating back to childhood and decades of professional experience in banking and nonprofit leadership, Bill brings a steady, thoughtful perspective to SBGC’s work.

As communities across the Sleeping Bear Gateways region grapple with rising housing costs and limited land availability, zoning reform has become a critical part of the conversation. Thoughtful changes to local zoning—allowing a broader mix of housing types and modest increases in density—can help preserve rural character while ensuring that teachers, first responders, and working families can continue to live where they serve. By embracing balanced growth strategies, communities can maintain the beauty and spirit of our region while building a more sustainable future for all.

Whether it’s the grocery clerk stocking shelves, the dental assistant keeping appointments running on time, or the firefighter responding to a 3 a.m. call, every community depends on the people who show up every day to do the work that keeps life moving.

But in our region, more and more of these people are forced to live farther away (or leave altogether) because they simply cannot afford to live close to where they work. That distance comes at a cost, not just to families but to the entire local economy.

Since the beginning, the Sleeping Bear Gateways Council has focused on long-term solutions that protect and strengthen our gateway communities. That work is not theoretical. It is happening right now, and it is making a difference.

As housing prices skyrocket, it’s become harder for nurses, teachers, tradespeople, and hospitality workers to find a stable, affordable place to live anywhere near their jobs. What started as a seasonal staffing issue has turned into a year-round crisis.

What if there was a way to make homes affordable and keep them that way? That’s where Community Land Trusts (CLTs) come in. They offer a proven, community-centered model to keep housing affordable not just for one buyer, but for generations.

Across Northern Michigan, housing costs have quietly (but steadily!) outpaced wages. What used to be a seasonal challenge has grown into a full-blown crisis. Here’s what you need to know.

Traditional suburban development often relies on large lots that drive up both land costs and total home prices. By enabling lot subdivision, communities can dramatically reduce the barrier to entry for prospective homeowners.

Workforce housing is not just a community issue — it’s a business imperative. The cost of doing business is directly tied to the costs of your workforce. What do we mean by this? We share key facts to explain what we mean.

Attainable housing isn’t about outsiders—it’s about us: our kids, our aging parents, and our neighbors. Here, we answer your commonly asked questions about attainable housing and its impact on our community.

Many residents have misconceptions and/or are unfamiliar with the difference between Attainable Housing and Affordable Housing. “Attainable housing” and “affordable housing” are terms often used interchangeably, but they cater to significantly different income levels and involve distinct strategies to address housing needs.

Gateway communities across the nation, including those surrounding the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, are facing a growing crisis—an acute lack of affordable housing for essential workers. This issue is not just about housing prices; it is about the stability and sustainability of the workforce that keeps these communities thriving.

Our gateway communities received over 1.67M visitors this past year, exploring and enjoying our National Park’s beauty and our local hospitality. This influx has continued to rise with the increased awareness and national notoriety of an area we all love and call home.

Teachers, firefighters, healthcare workers, law enforcement, and other essential professionals are the backbone of any thriving community, yet many face the challenges of finding housing near where they serve—such as Benzie and Leelanau Counties.

In Leelanau County, the Area Median Income (AMI) is $71,232.This is significant because, for residents under 80% making $56,987 or less, there are limited opportunities for subsidized rental units. Such opportunities are significantly less viable in Leelanau County.

Last week, the Leelanau Enterprise ran a front-page article regarding the January 16^th Empire Township Planning Committee meeting. The Enterprise carelessly reported on this meeting that its reporter did not attend, making false claims regarding two of the Council’s Board members and actions that were supposedly taken without the knowledge of the School’s representatives.

Because there is a critical workforce housing shortage in Leelanau and Benzie Counties! Closing the gap in workforce housing is critical in preserving the services we have come to rely upon, which may affect the safety and the charm and character of towns and villages where we live.

The Glen Lake Community Schools (GLCS) have been given a rare opportunity to facilitate the development of both rental and homeownership opportunities for a diverse group of workforce families and households, such as teachers, firefighters, law enforcement, road commission, and other public sector employees.

Homestretch is the largest nonprofit affordable housing developer in Northern Michigan, which provides new, decent, and affordable housing for persons and families of low to moderate income. Learn about the difference their making in our gateway communities.

With a steadily growing influx of seasonal visitors to the area, a coordinated team met in mid-September to discuss a proposal for the 180 acres of forest school property to be made available for use in developing a community to include attainable and affordable housing.

It’s a story heard across the country, from Colorado ski towns to Key West to the Sleeping Bear Dunes region in northern Michigan. Not only do tourist communities need hospitality workers and entrepreneurs, but they need young families and essential workers to support the tax base, the schools, and public services.

With funding provided by the USDA, SBGC studied the lack of affordable housing in Leelanau and Benzie Counties with the hope of mitigating this challenge. The result of this project demonstrated the high feasibility of several options.

The SBGC contracted with Mansfield Consultants to develop conceptual plans for a 40-acre parcel to illustrate development possibilities on a greenfield site in Empire Township. While there was an example parcel used for this exercise, these could be adapted to other opportunities throughout the region.

The SBGC set up a web-based portal for both employers needing rentals for employees and local owners who had space to offer. This program ran for  two years, and the hope is to expand this regionally (pending funding). Housing North is working with the SBGC and others to explore ways to continue the Housing Exchange.