Advancing Housing Solutions in Leelanau County

Photo credit: Housing North

 

Image description: A group of Leelanau County community members participates in a Housing North focus group, seated around tables in a warmly lit room. The presenter stands at the front, engaging the group in discussion. 

 

---

For years, our region has struggled to meet the need for affordable and attainable housing. There are simply not enough houses for the number of individuals and families seeking one. This is a critical issue that our nonprofit partner, Housing North is striving to tackle in Leelanau County with its recently launched Housing Ready Program.  

Designed to provide technical support to communities, remove barriers to housing, and assist in getting potential homeowners prepared, the Housing Ready Program is a boots-on-the-ground effort to facilitate housing goals, coordination of funding opportunities, and housing incentives led by Director Zach Hillyer. Long story short: through the Housing Ready Program, Housing North wants to match community members with homes that fit their needs and life.  

As a recipient of one of our Community Funds grants, Housing North is making strides to bring housing projects to fruition, discover the housing needs in Leelanau County, and work hand-in-hand with local government entities to create actionable plans, change zoning, and expand year-round housing.  

“We are so excited for this opportunity and to be supported by our regional community foundation,” said Yarrow Brown, Executive Director of Housing North. “Our community foundations are key partners in our work and help move the needle on housing. Being able to close the funding gap on our Leelanau County Housing Ready Program was possible because of this grant and the other organizations that contributed.” 

Leelanau County has one of the highest ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) populations in Housing North’s ten-county service region, and by 2024, the Leelanau will need more than 400 housing units to meet the urgent demand. The Community Funds grant that Housing North received is a step toward helping to make this daunting goal a reality. 

“Flexible funding is so important for our local organizations and nonprofits because it allows us to ensure we have funding that we can rely on without having to develop or create new programs or projects each year,” added Yarrow. “Housing North provides ongoing services and needed support in our communities. Any funding source that can be flexible and support keeping our doors open allows us to focus more on the important aspects of our work.” 

---

Writer: Alex Dailey