Local area municipal manager and community development directors met recently with Housing Next, the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation to discuss the housing shortage in Ottawa County.
During the meeting it was noted that Ottawa County recently surpassed Oakland County as having the highest↑ cost of housing in the State of Michigan – with an average “for sale” cost of housing in Ottawa County being about $450k.
In brief, there is a significant need for rental units and for-sale properties for those earning $102k or less per year (i.e., 120% of AMI or “Area Median Income”). This equates to housing at about $300k per unit or $1,380 per month in rental costs.
Township developments that are either planned (e.g., Blueberry Woods) or under construction (e.g., Lakeshore Flats) do fill the need for up-market rental and for-sale units above↑ the 120% AMI range.
However, accessing state-assisted and locally supported programs (e.g., LIHTC, PILOT, TIF, etc.), creating non-market offerings (e.g., non-profit developers, housing cooperatives, Community Land Trusts, etc.) and changing state and federal policy will be needed to create below↓ 120% AMI offerings at any significant volume.
And finally, it was noted that Ottawa County is “aging” – with the largest growth being seen in households with an average age of 75 and older. The need for developing senior-care housing (i.e., assisted-living and nursing) remains a priority with both lower-priced and high-end offerings.
The conversation is on-going and will continue to be a priority for area communities – balancing market demands, with local interests, environmental concerns, and infrastructure constraints.
