Block by Block

This series, Block by Block, is supported by FHLBank Indianapolis and CEDAM, and follows emerging and diverse developers building affordable housing in Michigan.

Schools work together to address teacher housing shortage

Organizations, nonprofits, developers, and school personnel are working to address the teacher housing shortage head-on. A group of local Northern Michigan schools have banded together to form an educational consortium to address the issue and create a model of future educator housing developments near Traverse City.

Rendering of Sawmill Lofts in Grayling
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.   

Melvin Henley
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.   

Chris Uhl
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.   

A completed home repair in Genesee County.
FHLBank of Indianapolis home repair programs make life-changing impacts on homeowners

The FHLBank of Indianapolis provides impactful resources for communities in Michigan and provides home repair programs and additional resources to homeowners via lenders like1st State Bank in Saginaw and Metro Community Development Corporation in Flint.

Building Community Value education session.
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.  

Eric Lupher.
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.   

(L – R) Deidre Fields, community partner, James Gunter, community advocate, and Ashley Hines, executive director of Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation, in front of the African American History Gallery on Broadway Avenue in Benton Harbor.
Bold revitalization plan for Benton Harbor’s Empire Corridor

Community-driven revitalization plan for Benton Harbor Empire Corridor envisions a neighborhood transformed into a vibrant haven for all.

Statewide housing plan works with stakeholders across region to address housing needs

Block by Block spoke with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Housing North, and Communities First about how individual communities are working together to tackle the specific housing needs of their residents. For the first time ever, the state of Michigan released a statewide coordinated, comprehensive housing plan, working with stakeholders across the housing sector  

CEDAM’s Emily Reyst with Boot Camp graduate Christine Holmes, Woodbridge Neighborhood Development director of policy and property development.
CEDAM Real Estate Boot Camp readies Michigan’s emerging developers

The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan is addressing the demand for affordable housing across the state. It’s real estate development boot camp provides tools and training for developers and community members within their neighborhoods.   

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