MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (WZMQ) – Today is the second day of the Mackinac Island Policy Conference. Lawmakers, government officials, and industry leaders are coming together to discuss some of the state’s biggest issues.
A big focus at the policy conference today has been housing, the Governor kicked things off this morning by announcing some changes to state goals set at this conference back in 2021.
According to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the 2021 goal of 75,000 newly built or renovated units of housing will be met by May 2025, more than a year ahead of schedule. Today, the Governor announced the state is raising its statewide housing target to 115,000 units by September 2026, a 53% increase.
State Senator Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Township) said the plans discussed today only address shortages in housing, and that he’s still concerned about regulations he believes need to be rolled back in order to actually lower housing costs.
“The solution they’re coming up with is ‘well, we’ll just pour more money into it’” McBroom said. “They’re not taking a serious look at why it costs so much more. Why do the costs continue to ramp up?”
MHSDA’s director, Amy Hovey, said the increased goal would work hand in hand with state funding opportunities to impact prices.
MSHDA has introduced 3 funding opportunities as a part of Statewide and Regional Housing Plans. A $5 million Housing Readiness Incentive Grant program to support municipalities in adopting or eliminating rules and regulations that slow down the building process. The Missing Middle Housing Program is a $110 million from the American Rescue Act Plan that is funding 50 projects and adding 1,492 new homes in Michigan for families in the middle class. Third is MI Neighborhood, dollars that were introduced with an initial $60 million total for projects that address the goal set by Regional Housing Plans.
Whitmer announced $376 million in funding for renewable energy rebates and infrastructure. Governor Whitmer said the money from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency was announced will help 18,000 families install solar panels in their homes and communities, drive down the cost of utility bills, and significantly lower the costs of new energy-efficient water heaters, stoves, furnaces, and heat pumps.
“Lower income households could see their bills drop by an average of 20% and they can live in a nicer, more affordable, comfortable space. Just think about what that quality of life means for people.” Whitmer said. “Housing and energy are inextricably linked. Michigan’s buildings, including homes, account for a large portion of our state’s climate emissions. We need to tackle both ends of the challenge.”
The policy conference is scheduled to continue through Friday, WZMQ will continue to post announcements from the week’s events.
