MSHDA convenes strategic council to improve housing in Michigan

Media Contacts:
Katie Bach, BachK@michigan.gov
Tracey Houston, HoustonT1@michigan.gov

February 18, 2021

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has assembled the Michigan Statewide Housing Plan Partner Advisory Council, comprised of housing experts and partners dedicated to bettering the state housing system. The council will be instrumental in the development of Michigan’s first five-year Statewide Housing Plan (SHP).

This strategic housing plan will identify key housing issues impacting residents across the state by leveraging a diverse group of stakeholders to create an action plan that ensures all Michiganders have access to a safe, affordable, and quality place to call home. The plan will lay out strategies and outcome goals for housing in our state, with a central focus on equity.

“As a community organizer who helped people in communities across America realize their full economic and societal potential, I know that quality housing is a prerequisite for health and safety because ‘home’ holds deep meaning for all of us,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Together, the efforts of this council and the first-ever housing plan for Michigan will lay the foundation for how we, as a state, ensure everyone has an affordable, accessible, and welcoming place to call home.”

MSHDA first began working on the SHP in 2020 with the consulting group Public Policy Associates, Inc. (PPA) to conduct research, benchmark with 15 national housing finance agencies, and engage with customers, partners, and the public.   

The Partner Advisory Council will advise the consultant team from PPA and MSHDA’s strategic planning team on stakeholder outreach and engagement approaches, help to interpret stakeholder input, and generate ideas for strategies to address the state’s housing needs.

“Housing serves as the cornerstone to every community—impacting numerous other social and economic concerns such as health, educational achievement and access to employment,” said MSHDA Acting Executive Director Gary Heidel. “With every stakeholder in the housing industry working together through this Council, MSHDA aims to identify and implement solutions that will result in meaningful changes at the individual, community, regional and state levels.”

The Council begins meeting this month. Public engagement opportunities will occur at various times from now through summer.

Members of the Partner Advisory Council were carefully selected by the strategic planning team at MSHDA, in consultation with PPA and the acting director of MSHDA. The full list of members is as follows:

The success of the Statewide Housing Plan depends on many individuals, organizations, and government partnerships across the state. To learn more and get involved, visit Michigan.gov/housingplan.

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