Michigan Municipal League Membership Guide 2023

Policy Research & Placemaking Assistance Programs

ACTIONABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS The League has devoted significant time to housing related policies and programs that would support communities’ efforts to increase and improve access to affordable, quality housing. We recently released our publication This Used to be Normal: Pattern Book Homes for the 21st Century. This document reviews historic mail order housing forms, offers zoning solutions for gentle density with multi-unit housing, and creates buildable plans for new infill duplexes/ fourplexes in downtown-adjacent neighborhoods. The whole set of Pattern Book materials can be found here: mml.org/pattern-book-homes/ . We’ve also partnered with the State of Michigan to develop an online housing data portal that will have extensive information on statewide and local housing statistics that members can use in shaping local policy and evaluating development proposals. The portal will launch in the fall of 2023. With support from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, we have conducted research on equitable access to entrepreneurship and small business success. This includes a review of existing small business support networks in southeast Michigan and identifying future opportunities. This work is continuing with onsite assistance and strategy support for pilot communities. It also includes development of a new Microbusiness Ready Communities Standard and Resource Guide for the RRC program that incorporates learning and tools identified in the first phases of this work, and continued learning and engagement with the Michigan Microbusiness Coalition. DEVELOPMENT CODE REFORM Outdated zoning and development ordinances can stand in the way of placemaking goals, but communities often lack the resources for a full overhaul of their codes. The League joined the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) and MEDC to develop resources for communities that want to make tactical, incremental changes to their ordinances in support of better development. CNU is working nationally to apply Michigan’s leadership in other states. Learn more at cnu.org/our-projects/project-code-reform . LOCAL ECONOMIES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Our current project mix changes regularly as we identify new needs or opportunities. Our recent work includes:

REDEVELOPMENT READY COMMUNITIES (RRC) SUPPORT League staff have an unparalleled depth of experience with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s RRC program and, through support from MEDC, have provided assistance with site-specific visioning, site design, market studies, and developer outreach to communities that have completed certification. Please see mml.org/resources-research/ for details on these projects and to contact us for more details. CROWDFUNDING The League partners with MEDC, MSHDA, and Patronicity to create the Public Spaces, Community Places program, offering crowdfunding assistance for public space projects. Projects that meet program criteria can receive a funding match for the dollars raised through the Patronicity platform. Learn more about this funding opportunity at crowdfundingmi . com and contact League staff to discuss how it might apply in your community. MGC is a collaborative effort led by numerous local governments, statewide organizations, and state agencies to share resources and knowledge around clean energy and environmental sustainability. Each year, participating communities can measure their progress and are recognized for their achievements via the MGC Challenge. Learn more and sign up at migreencommunities.com . MICHIGAN GREEN COMMUNITIES NETWORK (MGC)

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