November: Sleeping Bear Gateways Council raises Hopes for affordable housing in Leelanau County

Our work to secure land for attainable workforce housing is gaining regional attention. 9&10 News recently featured SBGC’s efforts, including our progress toward acquiring sites that could support up to 300 homes for local workers.

You can read their full report and watch the interview with Board Member Mike Rivard below.

By Kyle Garrison

LEELANAU COUNTY — With the housing crisis impacting the availability of workforce housing in Leelanau County, one local nonprofit organization has launched a major fundraising effort to purchase property that could one day hold affordable housing for local workers.

With an original goal of $300,000, the Sleeping Bear Gateways Council has already raised $600,000 in donations and pledges over the past few months.

The Council’s goal is to secure enough land for up to 300 housing units spread throughout the county. Board of Directors members say they are currently considering four different properties, three in Empire Township and one in Kasson Township, with the hopes of purchasing or leasing them long-term…