Dec
After years of planning, partnership, and fundraising, Lofts at Lumber Square is officially complete and ready to begin serving Emmet County’s middle-income households. To celebrate this milestone, Northern Homes Community Development Corporation is hosting a community Open House on Monday, December 15, 2025, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Lofts at Lumber Square is located at 900 Emmet Street in downtown Petoskey. Community members are invited to stop by, explore the completed building, and tour sample units. Whether you donated to the project, are interested in living there, or simply want to see what’s been made possible through local collaboration and generosity, this is a great opportunity to take a look inside.
Lofts at Lumber Square offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for Emmet County households earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). These homes are in high demand, with residents already set to move in by mid-December; all 60 units are expected to be occupied by late winter.
For decades, our region’s lack of available and affordable housing has strained every aspect of our community—especially our local businesses and workforce. Because of this, the Community Foundation recognizes housing as one of our strategic initiatives. As the Foundation began to get more involved in this work, it became clear that new ideas and different approaches were needed if we were going to make a meaningful difference. Thanks to donor support, the Foundation purchased the former Hankey Lumber site from the Gruler family in May 2022, preserving the property for the development of housing that meets the needs of our community’s hardworking residents who struggle to find and afford a place to live. Now, three years later, that vision has been realized.
The project was led by the Community Foundation, Haan Development, and Northern Homes Community Development Corporation. It also relied on critical partnerships with First Community Bank, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), HDJ, Wolverine Building Group, IFF, the City of Petoskey, and Emmet County.
Community philanthropy played a vital role as well. The barrier to housing often lies in the numbers: the cost of land, labor, and materials far exceeds what the local workforce can afford. More than 400 donors stepped up to bridge the funding gap, contributing a combined $4 million to keep these apartments priced below market rates.
We remain profoundly grateful for the many partners, donors, and supporters who made this project possible. Their commitment and dedication are building a stronger, more vibrant community.