Building a Foundation for Attainable Housing-Kalamazoo

June 17, 2024 10:00AM - 3:00PM

Registration Deadline: June 10, 2024 - 12:00AM

Kalamazoo Expo Center, Room B, 2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49048


Contact: Tyler Augst at augsttyl@msu.edu

Michigan is facing a housing challenge of serious proportions as discussed in Michigan’s Statewide Housing Plan. The lack of affordable, attainable and workforce housing is becoming a critical issue that limits the full potential of our communities. Regional, tribal, and local officials and staff have a responsibility to help communities address housing demands and ensure an availability of a wide range of housing types and prices. Despite the challenges, there are a diverse range of planning and regulatory tools available as solutions. Communities that proactively plan and implement greater access to a variety of housing types can improve residents' quality of life and overall prosperity.

MSU Extension, in partnership with the Region J Housing Partnership, is offering this free training to help local government officials and staff plan for, and implement strategies to improve access to attainable, affordable, and inclusive housing. Activities in the program will help build participants’ skills and confidence in local housing discussions and decisions. This training will cover:

  • Perspectives on Michigan’s current housing situation, trends, and local data
  • History of zoning and other policies as a tool for exclusion
  • Strategies communities can use to assess their current housing situation and plan for the future
  • An overview of zoning and other policy tools, including tools for greater equity in zoning
  • Two scenario-based learning activities to gain experience and confidence in housing discussions around planning and implementation

 

Lunch will be provided and all participants will receive a copy of the program materials and additional resources. To fully participate in the activities participants are asked to either bring, or have access to, a copy of their community’s master plan, zoning ordinance, and zoning map.

 

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