Michigan Business Beat | Brad Ward, Michigan Realtors Association, Housing Plan & Economic Growth

Chris Holman welcomes Brad Ward, Vice President of Public Policy and Legal Affairs at Michigan Realtors, Lansing, MI. Michigan’s housing shortage is increasingly seen as a business issue, not just a housing issue. How is the Housing Readiness Plan tied to economic growth and workforce attraction? Some supporters say outdated zoning and permitting rules are driving up costs and slowing development. What practical changes in this plan could make the biggest difference for housing supply and affordability? Business groups, Realtors, and homebuilders are backing this package. What does that unusually broad coalition say about the urgency of the housing challenge in Michigan? For employers struggling to attract or retain talent, how does housing availability and affordability affect competitiveness, and how could this plan help? There is often tension between statewide reform and local control. How does the Housing Readiness Plan balance protecting property rights and local input while still reducing barriers to development? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Bipartisan coalition of business, environment, real estate and advocacy groups urge Michigan Legislature to pass Housing Readiness Plan Skyrocketing costs, shortage of supply require statewide solution to create stability, protect property rights, boost affordability LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan business groups joined environmental, real estate, housing advocacy, social service organizations, and diverse nonprofit groups today to call on the Legislature to pass the Housing Readiness Plan, a bipartisan, bicameral package of bills that can help rein in skyrocketing costs, boost housing supply and protect property rights. (See an outline of the plan and list of supporters below.) Supported by Republican and Democratic legislators in both the House and Senate, the proposal comes as Michigan faces a severe housing crisis, with Michigan’s inventory of available housing half of what a balanced market should have, affordable housing short by hundreds of thousands, and the median housing price at $270,000 – a jump of $40,000 in just three years. “What we’re seeing today is real momentum,” said State Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids), a sponsor of the package. “This coalition brings together partners from across Michigan who may not always agree on everything, but are united in one thing: we need more housing options, and we need them now. The Housing Readiness package is about making it possible to build more homes Michiganders can actually afford, and it’s clear that there is growing, statewide support to get this done.” “It's encouraging to see a broad coalition come together who all agree on one thing: Michigan needs more housing and we need to make it easier to build it,” said State Senator John Lindsey (R-Coldwater), a member of the Housing Readiness Plan coalition. “Michigan is facing a housing crisis. For too long, outdated regulations and unnecessary red tape have slowed down development and driven up costs for families. By cutting through bureaucracy and streamlining processes, we can make it so everyone in Michigan has a fair shot at a safe, more affordable place to call home.” The Housing Readiness Plan modernizes outdated zoning rules while preserving public input, local planning authority, public hearings, planning commissions and local votes. The plan streamlines rules on residential building, parking requirements and dwelling and lot sizes. The plan also clarifies development study and petition processes.