Housing

Providing housing choices to all residents in the regions continues to be a priority for much of the NWMCOG’s service area. The NWMCOG’s Regional Planning & Development Department works with local partners, both in the private and public sector, to ensure that the region’s workforce has access to safe, economical, and desirable housing. 

 

City of Traverse City 

 

 

Grand Traverse County

 

Grand Traverse County was awarded $395,000 through the Sustainable Communities Challenge Planning Grant Program. The program is made possible through the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, an interagency partnership of the US Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Through this partnership, these three federal agencies came together to help places around the country develop in more environmentally and economically sustainable ways. To guide its work, the Partnership developed six livability principles:

Provide more transportation choices.
Promote equitable, affordable housing.
Enhance economic competitiveness.
Support existing communities.
Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment.
Value communities and neighborhoods.

As part of this grant project, the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments is working with the County to develop a housing information inventory and strategy. Housing and community data will be collected, developed, maintained and analyzed on an on-going basis. The Housing strategy will identify housing goals and recommendations to ensure that the community’s policies are coordinated to meet their housing objectives. Goals, objectives, and implementation recommendations may address a variety of issues that impact housing such as zoning, funding, inspections, or infrastructure.

These activities are conducted with oversight from a County Housing Strategy Committee, with representatives from housing nonprofits, the private sector, county government, and local government.