Housing Advocate Award

24
Oct


On October 24, 2024, The Community Foundation received the Champion Housing Advocate Award at Housing North’s tenth annual Northwest Michigan Housing Summit. Held in Traverse City, MI, the summit brings housing advocates together each year to explore housing solutions for our region.

Housing North presented the award in recognition of the Community Foundation’s efforts in acquiring land, assembling partners, and raising funds to make Petoskey’s Lofts at Lumber Square a reality. Construction is well underway, and once complete, it will provide 60 new, safe, and affordable apartments for Emmet County’s middle-income households.

“The foundation worked collaboratively with the community and its partners to clear countless obstacles and raise millions of dollars,” said Josh Mills, Housing North Board President. Mills said the foundation has been a champion housing advocate, supporting housing efforts even before Housing North was established.

David “DJ” Jones and Sarah Ford accepted the award on behalf of the Community Foundation. Jones recognized Ford’s tireless efforts to address our area’s housing challenges, as well as the work of key project collaborators Haan Development and Northern Homes Community Development Corporation. The Community Foundation is nearing the final stages of its fundraising efforts, with just under $1 million remaining to raise.

Petoskey’s Carlin Smith was also recognized at the ceremony, receiving the Housing Dedication Award. Smith is a founding member of the Housing North board of directors (2018) and served as the organization’s board president in 2022 and 2023; he will step down when his term expires at the end of the year.