Lansing, Mich. — The MI Home Program, an innovative, collaborative proposal to address Michigan’s housing crisis, was introduced today in the Michigan Legislature (HB 5660/5661) by Reps. Mark Tisdel (R–Rochester Hills) and Samantha Steckloff (D–Farmington Hills), alongside a dozen bipartisan cosponsors.
Crafted by the Michigan Municipal League, the MI Home Program enables a powerful partnership between local governments and the state to improve access to housing that is attainable for residents. It supports investment to accelerate housing construction and rehabilitation, while also promoting updates to local zoning regulations that will both measurably increase housing supply and address affordability, focusing on residents who earn up to 120% Area Median Income.
As of today, the MI Home Program has garnered nearly three hundred signatures of support from local elected and appointed leaders, organizations, and private individuals.
“With bipartisan support, the MI Home Program provides tools and incentives that empower local governments,” said Andy Schor, Mayor of Lansing. “It combines state support with local implementation. It rewards flexibility and encourages local innovation. We ask the State to work with local governments on solutions that actually get more housing built.”
“Affordability is something we dearly need. In Harper Woods, we recently celebrated Fraser Square, the largest new housing development in decades,” said Valerie Kindle, Mayor of Harper Woods. “I am proud of Fraser Square—a partnership between residents, local officials, the state, and developers. I am proud of the future I have been able to thoughtfully help shape. The MI Home Program will provide more opportunities for us to meet housing needs in Harper Woods.”
“The MI Home Program achieves what we all desire—it builds more homes,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “It does this through partnership, empowering local officials, the state, and developers to work together to solve these pressing issues.”
The Michigan Municipal League stands ready to work with the governor, legislative leaders, and stakeholders across the state to advance practical solutions that expand housing opportunities, ease financial strain on residents, and strengthen communities throughout Michigan.
