MIDLAND COUNTY HOUSING ANALYSIS

Midland County, MI

who is not well-served in the midland area housing market?

SUMMARY

czb was retained by Midland County Habitat for Humanity to conduct a market study and affordable housing needs analysis. The study found that uncoordinated planning and land use decisions in the county had led to the overbuilding of single-family homes between 1970 and 2010 and greatly weakened the market for homes in the city’s core, resulting in decreased values and neighborhood deterioration.

In addition, Midland County’s housing market, while extremely affordable overall, was not serving its poorest households who suffered housing cost burdens due to their low incomes. Finally, it identified a lack of new and diverse housing products as an important barrier to economic sustainability in the future.

MIDLAND COUNTY HOUSING ANALYSIS

THE LOW-INCOME AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGE

THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHALLENGE

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE

A Better Understanding of Housing Market Challenges

Housing advocates and providers are now armed with the data they need to focus their efforts and make the case for new resources. Public sector leaders have new insights into the role that public policy and programs need to play in dealing with the effects of a soft market on quality of life and public finances. And business and philanthropy have an opportunity to connect their resources and advocacy to strategically important community issues.