TheReview_July_Aug_2021

SHP is also being guided by the Michigan Statewide Housing Plan Partner Council, a group of more than 50 leaders who are advising the consultant team from Public Policy Associates and MSHDA’s strategic planning team on stakeholder outreach and engagement approaches, helping interpret stakeholder input, and generating ideas for strategies to address the state’s housing needs. “Housing serves as the cornerstone to every community— impacting numerous other social and economic concerns such as health, educational achievement, and access to employment,” said MSHDA Acting Executive Director Gary Heidel. “With every stakeholder in the housing industry working together through this Council, MSHDA aims to identify and implement solutions that will result in meaningful changes at the individual, community, regional, and state levels.” Michigan Municipal League Joins Coalition’s Call The Michigan Municipal League is represented on the Partner Advisory Council by Executive Director and CEO Dan Gilmartin and Legislative Associate Jennifer Rigterink. “Michigan communities have been through so much, especially in the past year and a half. Our goal is to ensure all League member perspectives are well-represented so that communities large and small, urban, and rural, have the opportunity to provide input into the housing strategies detailed in the final plan,”

said Rigterink. Rigterink notes that the creation of the Statewide Housing Plan be a critical component of supporting the League’s Economic and Financial Security Pillar. “League members have long recognized that quality housing is vital to a community’s long-term success, so we’re focused on making sure the Partner Advisory Council’s work is being informed by tools like the United Way’s ALICE project as well as drawing inspiration from our members across the state that have employed creative solutions to address their housing needs.” Get Involved Outreach and engagement efforts for the Statewide Housing Plan will continue throughout the summer with the goal of having a completed plan with measurable objectives by the end of 2021. League members are encouraged to learn more and participate in the plan’s development. Visit Michigan.gov/ housingplan for more information.

Josh Hovey, APR, is vice president of Martin Waymire. You may contact him at 517.485.6600 or jhovey@martinwaymire.com.

JULY / AUGUST 2021

11

THE REVIEW