State continues commitment to addressing regional housing needs, cutting red tape with unified approach to neighborhood investments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2024
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) today opened the MI Neighborhood application, which consolidates nine targeted programs and funding to address the regional goals identified through the implementation of the Statewide Housing Plan.
MI Neighborhood is open to developers, nonprofits, and units of local government, and applications will be accepted as long as funding is available. Up to $60 million will be awarded in the current fiscal year, with the next round of funding beginning October 1, the start of the state’s new fiscal year. Regional investment targets, based on the 15 regional housing partnerships identified in the Statewide Housing Plan, have been developed using an equitable, transparent, data driven strategy.
“MI Neighborhood represents our annual commitment to acknowledging the hard work of our regional housing partnerships and meeting the priorities they’ve identified in their regional action plans,” said Amy Hovey, Executive Director and CEO of MSHDA. “It’s also a commitment to bringing forward solutions that eliminate unnecessary burdens and red tape.”
Grants awarded through MI Neighborhood will be supported by state and federal funding. It is intended to be a low-barrier, common application that will be accessible to experienced and emerging community developers, nonprofits, and municipal leaders alike.
“MI Neighborhood is a one-stop shop for developers, nonprofits, and units of government to ask us for help in funding improvements for local neighborhoods through new units, rehabilitation, and public amenities,” continued Hovey. “We’ll continue to move quickly with these kinds of locally-focused solutions.”
“We need to build more new homes, rehabilitate more of our older homes, and make targeted investments in improving our neighborhoods – that’s exactly what MI Neighborhood is going to help us do,” said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. “I’m grateful for strong leadership at MSHDA that’s helping transform the way our state government works with local partners. Together we’re going to solve the housing crisis. Let’s get it done.”
Projects will be prioritized that are most aligned with the regional action plans, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received.
“This new application will be a simple and straightforward way for us to access MSHDA funds to help build and rehabilitate more homes in mid-Michigan,” said Emma Henry, Executive Director of the Capital Area Housing Partnership. “It’s bigger than bricks and mortar – by working together, we are going to build stronger communities all over this region for years to come.”
“MI Neighborhood’s opening is a significant and exciting step for collaboration and community development here in Greater Lansing and for our counterparts across the state,” said Nicole Baumer, Deputy Director of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. “We are thrilled with MSHDA’s commitment to this annual funding program and the opportunity it presents for us and our partners to make an even greater impact as we work together to make our neighborhoods and communities stronger. We look forward to championing the priorities identified in the housing action plan and Tri-County’s HousingDrives study.”
Developers, nonprofit organizations and local units of government can access the application on the MI Neighborhood page on the MSHDA website.
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CONTACTS:
Katie Bach, BachK@michigan.gov
Anna Vicari, VicariA@michigan.gov
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Valonda Sesi, Marketing & Community Engagement Manager
Tri-County Planning Regional Planning Commission
517-898-1098
Curtis Audette, Director of Marketing & Fundraising
Capital Area Housing Partnership
517-575-7780
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), established in 1966, provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, develop vibrant cities, towns and villages, and address homeless issues.
The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (Tri-County) is a public planning agency established in 1956, serving Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties in Mid-Michigan. Tri-County makes our region a more prosperous community by planning for a strong economy, reliable transportation, and sustainable infrastructure and natural resources. We connect local organizations and governments to funding, technical assistance, data resources, and opportunities to discuss trends and challenges affecting the Greater Lansing area.
Capital Area Housing Partnership (CAHP) is a nonprofit organization on a mission to develop strong and diverse neighborhoods, emphasizing affordable housing, homeownership opportunities, and financial security for mid-Michigan residents since 1992. Through our comprehensive approach, we are building and rehabilitating multi-and-single family homes, delivering housing and financial education, and engaging communities to revitalize core neighborhoods.
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