Feb
The Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation recently awarded a $80,000 grant to Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity (NMHFH) for crucial infrastructure at its Meadow Lands subdivision in Alanson. The new housing development is slated to break ground Spring 2022.
Sarah Ulrich, Habitat executive director (second from left) and Sarah Ford, Director of Community Philanthropy at the Community Foundation (third from right), are joined by the Habitat team.
“Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity is filling a desperate need in our community,” says David (DJ) Jones, Community Foundation Executive Director. “No one else in Emmet County is building this quantity of homes in this accessible price range. The Community Foundation realizes the importance of providing dollars for important infrastructure, where other funding often isn’t available.”
The Community Foundation continues its work alongside partners like Northwest Michigan Habitat, Little Traverse Bay Housing Partnership, and Housing North to help create attainable homes in and for our community.
“The Community Foundation’s support of quality, affordable housing is not only providing new opportunities for homebuyers and their families, but they are also investing in a stronger economy, and a more sustainable, vibrant community for everyone.” says Sarah Ulrich, Executive Director at NMHFH.
The lack of affordable housing is a well-known issue across Northern Michigan, but there are very few housing projects being developed to address the growing need. Our workforce is struggling under the weight of their housing costs, and it is creating a ripple effect of problems across our community for residents and businesses alike. Northwest Michigan Habitat, the local leader in affordable housing, is undertaking the most ambitious housing project in the area, but as their capabilities to build these houses grow, their need for project capital and community support grows as well.