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Emerging Developer Resources

Emerging Developer Resources

Whether you are beginning your journey as a developer or established in the field, this page has been created to support your growth. The resources provided below are designed to help:

  • Expand your business capacity by connecting with funding opportunities, mentorship, and advanced training.
  • Secure essential industry experience through real‑world projects, collaborations, and community engagement.
  • Build long‑term sustainability by strengthening partnerships, enhancing credibility, and accessing financial resources.

This page serves as a guide towards thriving in the development industry. By combining practical tools with opportunities for funding and collaboration, you will be empowered to grow while making a meaningful impact in Michigan communities.

Great Lakes Housing Services (GLHS)

GLHS supports Michigan communities, local governments, and nonprofit organizations by helping them overcome barriers to housing development, strengthening cross‑sector partnerships, and connecting stakeholders to essential funding and technical resources. GLHS assists applicants referred by MSHDA in navigating programs such as LIHTC, MI Neighborhood, and the Housing Readiness Incentive Grant Program. GLHS also serves as a third‑party administrator for local units of government, providing oversight and coordination of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

Learn more at greatlakeshousing.org

  • Training Opportunities

    Organization Name Program Name Description Link
    Community Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) Real Estate Development Bootcamp CEDAM’s Real Estate Development Boot Camp is a multi-part training program designed to give you the tools needed to develop affordable housing in your community. From rising construction costs to new funding sources, our training curriculum is updated each year to provide context around the current real estate development landscape in Michigan. Experienced speakers from across the state and country to discuss practical applications of this work and help you create important connections. CEDAM Real Estate Development Boot Camp
    Capital Impact Partners Real Estate Developers Training Initiative (EDI) The primary objective of the EDI Program is to ensure that emerging real estate developers have the skills needed to participate in community growth and revitalization efforts. The program utilizes local knowledge, partnerships, and key strengths including program design and project financing to support developers to grow their careers and support communities. Capital Impact EDI Program
    Detroit Training Center Workforce Development Programs DTC delivers comprehensive workforce development programs across construction, manufacturing, and transportation. The training portfolio includes blight removal, heavy equipment operation, commercial driver’s license preparation, welding, and masonry—equipping participants with industry recognized skills that lead to sustainable employment. Workforce Development Programs
    Grow America Supporting Empowered Emerging Developers (SEED) Academy™ SEED is an innovative, high-impact, intensive training and technical assistance program for start-up emerging and women real estate developers. SEED Academy, launched in 2012, has grown over the past decade into a program that partners with communities to provide emerging developers with training and technical assistance on the full range of subjects that a developer must know and understand to successfully enter the field. In-person, live-remote and self-guided training addresses the stages and steps of the development process and development finance. SEED Academy panel discussions bring local architects, lenders, tax credit investors, zoning officials and successful developers together to share their experience and advice with the SEED Academy participants. Grow America SEED Academy™
    Ingham County Housing Trust Fund (ICHTF) Emerging Developer/Workforce Development Workgroup The workgroup works to identify and support local workforce development through ICHTF programs and funding, and create/provide navigation to funding opportunities for local emerging developers and organizations serving/representing BIPOC communities. This workgroup will also advise ICHTF on support for workforce development, apprenticeship, & training opportunities. ICHTF Emerging Developer/Workforce Development Workgroup
    Motor City Contractor Fund (MCCF) Technical Assistance Program The program is operated by Lifeline Global Consulting in collaboration with key stakeholders. Contractors who apply will be screened with an intake assessment to determine their eligibility and to begin identifying opportunities for intervention, support, and business growth planning. The program also includes a virtual technical assistance “hub,” which will enable on-demand learning and facilitate opportunities for in-person coaching with industry experts. Participating contractors will receive a $5,000 grant to apply their learnings and address immediate needs aligned with their customized business growth strategy. Lifeline Global Consulting will monitor contractors’ progress throughout the program and maintain relationships with community lenders to increase opportunities to receive financing. MCCF Technical Assistance Program
    Women’s Sustainable Development Initiative (WSDI) WE Develop Program The program will offer step-by-step guidance, funding support, and a strong network of peers and partners. By addressing challenges such as pre-development costs, technical readiness, and industry access, emerging developers will be supported to launch successful projects. WE Develop Program
    Urban League of West Michigan Equitable Development Initiative The 10-week training program is designed to assist underrepresented and emerging developers with capacity and wealth building by connecting them with the resources they need for success Urban League of West Michigan Equitable Development Initiative

  • Educational Opportunities

    Organization Name Program Name Description Link
    Michigan State University (MSU) Real Estate Development and Construction Certification Advance your career or transition to a career in real estate development and construction with a world class education and credential from the MSU School of Planning, Design and Construction. Ideal for working professionals and current students. Courses are viewed online and on your schedule. Credits earned may be applied to the requirements of Master of Science in Construction Management and/or Urban and Regional Planning. Current MSU undergraduates are eligible to apply for this certificate. MSU Real Estate Development and Construction Certification
    Lansing Community College (LCC) Real Estate Investing Includes specially designed worksheets and hands-on activities to take the guesswork out of your investing efforts. Start developing a plan for your own investing efforts based on proven methods used every day by full-time, professional real estate investors. You will learn how to invest in foreclosures, manage a rehab project, and build your team of real estate professionals (title officers, lawyers, accountants, mortgage brokers, appraisers, and more). This course also explores the effects of higher interest rates and covers alternative strategies for a changing market. By the end of the course, you will be working toward your first (or next) deal. LCC Real Estate Investing
    Skilled to Build Michigan Foundation (STB) STB Residential Construction Skills Certification STB is the nonprofit arm of the Home Builders Association of Michigan, a professional trade association with a 4,000+ member network of builders, remodelers, and subcontractors. STB is approved by the Michigan Department of Education to certify individuals, which will help prepare you for a career in the skilled trades. Upon receiving the STB Construction Skills Certification, you will have the ability to opt-in to getting connected with employers across the state who are interested in hiring a credentialed person. Skilled to Build Construction Skills Certification
    University of Michigan Real Estate Development: Building Value in Your Community Provides an introductory understanding of real estate and community development. You will learn the fundamentals of real estate development, including development stages, team building, project feasibility, social impact, and financial modeling. Through immersive, augmented reality experiences, you will be able to identify and analyze neighborhood-scale real estate development projects to determine feasibility and understand the implementation process. The course's unique focus on the community's history, demography, and culture will equip you with the knowledge to develop projects that center the community you’re building in. By the end of the course, you will have gained the skills and knowledge to begin working with your community to invest in your community. U of M Real Estate Development: Building Value in Your Community
    University of Michigan Real Estate Development Certificate Program Offers MBA students the opportunity to study real estate development through an interdisciplinary curriculum and earn a graduate certificate in addition to the MBA degree. The Real Estate Development Certificate is a graduate certificate program offered through the Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, and administered by the Rackham Graduate School. Current UM non-Rackham graduate students (e.g. MBAs) are eligible to apply, but the program also considers applications from individuals who are not current UM graduate students. Current UM graduate students must submit a separate application to the Rackham Graduate School for admission to the certificate program. U of M Real Estate Development Certificate Program

  • Membership Opportunities

    Organization Name Description Link
    Incremental Development Alliance (IDA) IDA increases the capacity of regular people to develop hard-working, loveable small buildings in their neighborhoods. They offer aspiring developers training and mentorship to help them take the first steps toward their small-scale real estate development projects. Mentorship is provided to civic leaders for cultivating patient, healthy real estate development at scale accessible to locals, starting with supportive regulation. Incremental Development Alliance (IDA)
    Home Builders Association of Michigan (HBA) There are 18 local chapters around Michigan that work to enhance your membership in your community. Each local HBA offers special benefits that are exclusive to its members, and savings that can cover the entire cost of your membership. Local associations host classes, events, and networking opportunities to expand your expertise and meet members in the industry. Home Builders Association of Michigan (HBA)
    Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) MEDA is a membership association that provides services and programs to support economic development professionals from their early career as emerging leaders, through noteworthy successes, and well into retirement. We unite economic development professionals to foster sustainable growth and prosperity. Their mission is to empower members with knowledge, advocacy, resources, and collaboration to drive positive statewide change. Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA)
    Real Estate Association of Developers (READ) Empowers minority developers in Detroit to ensure the developer base more accurately reflects the city's diversity and delivers projects that serve the diverse population. Real Estate Association of Developers (READ)
    Urban Land Institute (ULI) ULI is the oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world. ULI is its members. Through our members' dedication to the mission and their shared expertise, the Institute has been able to set standards of excellence in development practice. Urban Land Institute (ULI)
    Women’s Sustainable Development Initiative (WSDI) WSDI is a non-profit organization based in Michigan with a clear mission: to empower emerging women in the field of commercial real estate development, to undertake projects in economically disadvantaged areas that incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. WSDI is dedicated to achieving this mission by offering financial support, educational resources, and valuable networking opportunities exclusively to women involved in commercial real estate development. They serve as the next crucial step for women developers who have completed the necessary education and training required to embark on their real estate projects. Women’s Sustainable Development Initiative (WSDI)

  • Funding Resources

    Organization Name Resource Name/Type Description Link
    City of Grand Rapids

    Emerging Developer Grant Program

    		The program provides support to new and emerging developers for predevelopment expenses necessary to obtain site plan approval for a future project. Funds can be utilized for site planning, environment assessments, surveys, architectural services, and engineering. Emerging Developer Grant Program
    Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) Funding Source Offers loan products for housing developers dedicated to building and preserving affordable and supportive housing. CSH Loan and Investment Products
    Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Build MI Community Grant Initiative Administered by MEDC on behalf of the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), the tool provides access to real estate development gap financing and technical assistance for small scale, incremental redevelopment projects. The Build MI Community Initiative was established to re-activate underutilized or vacant space into vibrant areas by promoting capital investment into redevelopment projects being taken on by developers and property owners with limited real estate development experience and familiarizing them with the development process in order to position them to potentially undertake more complex projects in the future. MEDC Build MI Community Grant Initiative
    Motor City Contractor Fund (MCCF) Funding Source MCCF is a collaborative effort between Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), banks, foundations, and the public and private sectors to bring flexible and affordable lending to Detroit-based contractors. The initiative offers the necessary tools to support business growth for contractors to competitively bid and successfully complete demolition, rehabilitation, and new construction projects. Motor City Contractor Fund (MCCF)
    Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Funding Source Offers a wide range of loans, from pre-development to permanent financing, and finances a wide variety of projects, from large affordable housing to small business loans. LISC will identify the loan product that best suites an organization to ensure success of the project. LISC Loan Products

  • General Resources

    Organization Name Resource Name/Type Description Link
    Housing Next Variety of resources Provides multiple resources for removing housing barriers. Whether your question is on funding, zoning and other technical assistance or assistance in navigating the various tools available. Housing Next Resources & Tools
    Housing North Variety of resources Provides multiple resources to increase knowledge of the housing industry and applicable funding sources. Housing North Tools & Resources
    Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Resources for Developers MEDC's strategic focus aims to position Michigan on the leading edge of economic development. Supporting and growing the talent in Michigan is a key focus in accomplishing this goal. The Developer Toolkit and Build MI Community initiative provide technical assistance resources to real estate entrepreneurs and access to real estate development gap financing for incremental redevelopment projects. The organization is committed to eliminating barriers to accessing MEDC tools and services to better serve real estate entrepreneurs with limited experience, building a strong pipeline of developers in Michigan. Resources for Developers
    Missing Middle Housing Missing Middle Neighborhood Toolkit Access to 20+ years of award-winning design and construction experience, extensive research, and thought leadership with the Missing Middle Housing catalog of prototypes, making it easier to deliver needed and desired housing choices efficiently. The prototypes are applicable for single-lot infill to 40+ acre complete Missing Middle Neighborhoods. The Missing Middle Neighborhood Kit™
    State of Michigan Michigan Opportunity Zones Throughout Michigan, opportunities exist in areas called Opportunity Zones. The opportunities are for investors, entrepreneurs, community leaders, developers, and builders to make certain areas of Michigan better places to live, work and thrive. Through investments in Opportunity Zones, new housing can be built and existing housing can be improved. Michigan Opportunity Zones

Contact

For questions, email:

MSHDA-OHS@michigan.gov