Resources
Housing Resources
Goodwill Housing Resource Guide
List of resources available to people in need of housing assistance. Contacts are listed by the type of assistance they can offer.
Growing Business with Workforce Housing
The Framework for Our Future includes a broad range of community-identified solutions for meeting Northwest Michigan's housing needs. But in order to take action and improve housing choices, support is needed from all parts of the community--including employers. Without quality housing choices that are affordable to our workforce, our region will struggle to attract the skilled workers that are needed to build our economy
Housing North
A non-profit agency established in 2018 to build awareness, influence policy, and expand capacity so communities in Northwest Michigan can create housing solutions that meet their unique needs.
Housing Trust Funds: Barriers and Opportunities
In 2009, the Citizens Research Council explored opportunities for revenue sources for housing trust funds in Michigan as part of a report entitled, "Housing Trust Funds: Barriers and Opportunities."
Landlord & Tenants Rights and Responsibilities handbook
This guide is designed to inform tenants and landlords about their rights and responsibilities in rental relationships. It includes in-depth discussions about rental housing law, important timelines that outline the eviction process and security deposits, sample leases and other legal documents, sample letters regarding common rental issues, and approved court forms.
Manistee Rental Inspection Ordinance
The City of Manistee requires that all residential rental units be registered and inspected in order to protect public safety and ensure the quality of the city's rental properties.
National Housing Conference Messaging and Framing toolkit
A guide to help advocates communicate more effectively about housing issues. Each of the ten suggested strategies comes with a detailed explanation, tips, exercises, additional steps, and resources.
Nonprofit Needs Assessment for Northwest Michigan
A needs assessment was developed in 2013-2014 to identify challenges for nonprofit organizations in the ten-county Northwest Michigan region, relative to resources, capacity, leadership, revenue, and other issues. The report identifies potential opportunities for addressing challenges experienced by the region's nonprofits in order to better adapt to changing trends and complex community issues.
Northwest Michigan Housing Target Market Analysis
Housing market studies for each county in the region include an analysis of existing and emerging demographic trends to identify future demand for various housing types.
NWMCOG Citizen’s Guide to Housing Solutions
A guide intended to raise awareness and encourage citizen engagement around housing issues. It provides information and resources on the issues, policies and programs, and grassroots advocacy.
NWMCOG Housing Affordability Strategies & Resources: Best Practice Guides for Northwest Michigan
A series of best-practice resources that summarize proactive housing policies and programs that could be effective in Northwest Michigan. Taken singly, these strategies won’t act as stand-alone solutions; but they can be a valuable set of tools for local officials, planners, businesses, developers, nonprofits, and the public as they work together to improve the supply of affordable housing in their communities.
Housing Choices for Northwest Michigan
Accessory Dwelling Units
Cottage Zoning
Employer Assisted Housing
Housing Trust Funds
Inclusionary Incentive Zoning
Land Bank Authorities
Zoning for Housing Affordability
NWMCOG Housing Inventories
Housing reports were prepared by Networks Northwest for Antrim, Benzie, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Wexford counties, to provide the information foundation for a regional housing strategy, an element of the Framework for Our Future. The inventories provide an overview of housing affordability, type, and condition, as well as information on related factors such as energy and transportation costs, vacancies and foreclosures, and homelessness. Draft documents are available below.
Antrim County Housing Inventory
Benzie County Housing Inventory
Charlevoix County Housing Inventory
Emmet County Housing Inventory
Kalkaska County Housing Inventory
Leelanau County Housing Inventory
Manistee County Housing Inventory
Missaukee County Housing Inventory
Wexford County Housing Inventory
NWMHousingSearch
A housing search portal for renters and homebuyers. The site features a searchable database of housing assistance programs, rentals, and homes for sale.
Restoring Michigan Communities, Building by Building
A Michigan Municipal League guide to overcoming community problems and taking action with basic municipal tools and enforcement procedures.
Our Township greatly benefits from Network Northwest's experience, depth of knowledge and understanding. Because they work with so many diverse communities in our ten-county region they understand the local land-use issues and are already working on solutions by the time we realize we need some help.
- Susan Odom, Chair, Suttons Bay Township Planning Commission