Repurposing community assets strengthens communities in Pontiac and Detroit
Michigan communities are repurposing spaces to bring services, create meeting places, and meet the many needs of neighborhood residents.
Block by Block
Block by Block is a solutions journalism series that is supported by CEDAM, Michigan CDFI, and Invest Detroit, and is focused on community development leaders and initiatives in Michigan.
Regional Housing Partnerships addressing need for affordable housing
As part of the Region I Regional Housing Partnership, the Capital Area Housing Partnership and the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission are tasked with developing local action plans to address the housing crisis. City and state government, neighborhood developers including Forsberg Real Estate, and area nonprofits are working together to address homelessness in greater Lansing and to attract residents to Eaton Rapids.
Partner Partner Content Elevate grants help small Michigan businesses level up
Although headquartered in Indiana, the FHLBank of Indianapolis provides access to grant programs and resources for small businesses throughout Michigan. The Elevate Grant aims to generate more economic opportunity for all, and helps small businesses like Mushroom House Tours in Charlevoix and The Poke Bowl in Flint to level up.
Community land trusts make home ownership possible for more Michiganders
Michigan has a huge housing shortage. To address this need, many communities are utilizing community land trusts, like ICCF, to ensure affordable homeownership for generations to come.
CDFI funding helps Corktown Health expand services for Detroit area’s LGBTQ residents
Corktown Health has evolved and grown from offering end-of-life services during the HIV/AIDS epidemic to providing primary care for the LGBTQ community. Through financial support from IFF, and through partnerships with local organizations including MiGen, the health network continues to provide a life-changing impact on the patients it serves.
Recent Michigan housing legislation incentivizes more housing developments
As part of the Make it in Michigan Strategy, the state of Michigan has new finance tools and opportunities to convert vacant land into housing via the Transformational Brownfield Fund and tax increment funding. The State Land Bank Authority and Michigan Community Capital are working with state, local, and federal organizations to develop attainable workforce housing in their communities.
Growing Michigan Together Council addresses housing and other concerns across the state
Established by Governor Whitmer, the Growing Michigan Together Council works to develop a long-term plan of action to address many issues of concern across the state. Different goals include jobs, talent, and people; infrastructure and places; PreK-12 and higher education, and revenue. Block by Block spoke with the Executive Director of the Growing Michigan Together Council and Michigan’s first Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, and Melvin Henley at Community Economic Development Association of Michigan to hear about the council’s report.
What’s next for housing in Kent and Ottawa counties
As Kent County grows faster than the rest of the state, the community looks at ways to address its ongoing housing shortages. Through government entities, upcoming developers like Housing Next, and seasoned community development financial institutions like IFF, Grand Rapids has a collaborative plan in place to address the issue.
Lansing and Detroit organizations work to address the need for single-family housing
Block by Block spoke with Lansing and Detroit organizations on how they’re addressing the need for single-family housing in their communities. Building Community Value, based in Detroit, and the Capital Area Housing Partnership, based in Lansing, share their perspectives of the needs and how their resources are serving as building blocks for a better housing ecosystem.
Housing a key element of “Michigan’s Path to a Prosperous Future”
Citizens Research Council, Michigan Municipal League, and Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation weigh in on state's housing needs, regional, minority-driven resources, and development within individual communities.
