NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN STATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
***************************
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) recently announced Eastern UP Regional Planning to lead the Regional Housing Partnership (RHP) in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, selected by peers within the region, will partner with local governments, developers, nonprofits, businesses, local health departments, grassroots organizations, philanthropic organizations and other partners in Eastern UP to address specific housing needs and implement strategies from the Statewide Housing Plan.
“EUP and CLM Community Action are grateful for the opportunity to co-lead the EUP’s regional Housing Partnership; the current housing crisis we’re facing extends well beyond our region. However, this is a major obstacle on many fronts, including economic and community development, which was only exacerbated by the pandemic. Engaging with stakeholders and experts across the region to address housing needs and utilize the assets provided by MSHDA is a vital first step in confronting the region’s multi-faceted housing challenges,” says Jeff Hagan, CEO of the EUP regional planning and development commission.
EUP Regional Planning and CLM Community Action Agency will work collaboratively as co-leads on this effort with community leaders and housing developers to address local and regional barriers to affordable and attainable housing, including communications, local policy, equity, development financing and more. These collaborative efforts will result in a regional action plan that outlines strategies on how to address local housing issues.
As part of the selection, MSHDA will send $175,000 in grant funding to EUP Regional Planning to coordinate a regional action plan, identify its goals and name its objectives. The regional action plan will be shared with MSHDA by Fall 2023.
The Statewide Housing Plan, launched in 2022, is a strategic planning process aimed at increasing the accessibility of housing in Michigan by addressing racial housing disparities, increasing the stock of affordable housing and more. The plan highlights the need to engage with local housing agencies to ensure all Michigan residents can secure safe and affordable housing.
“The Statewide Housing Plan is meant to make a difference for all Michiganders, and we’re confident that EUP Regional Planning and partnerships with community leaders, nonprofits and developers will help us better serve the Eastern UP,” said Tiffany King, equity and inclusion officer at MSHDA. “By actively gathering insights and information from our regional housing partnership leads, we aim to ensure that every corner of the state receives the specific aid they require. Together, we can empower individuals in the Eastern UP with the housing support they deserve."
***************************
