Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation

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Looking up the coast for clues to solve the housing riddle

The region’s need for housing has been well documented. That’s particularly true for homes priced for sale between $150,000 and $300,000, as well as long-term rentals commensurate with that price. In Leelanau County, with a median price of $640,000 and an average price of $937,506, the challenge is acute. Perhaps part of the answer lies in looking north. Emmet County’s housing market mirrors that of Leelanau in many ways. It is a popular resort and vacation area with a number of high-end second and vacation homes. In trying to get arms around the problem, the Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation undertook a survey of county businesses, which concluded the number one barrier to doing business is the lack of workforce housing. Now the Leelanau County Housing Collaborative, an arm of the LPEF, is asking workers, employers, and other community members to take part in the Leelanau County Attainable Housing Survey. The survey is designed to gather public input on housing needs and community priorities to help inform future housing solutions across the county.

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Leelanau residents, workers encouraged to take housing survey

The Leelanau County Housing Collaborative, an effort of the Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation, and its partner organizations are inviting residents, workers, employers, and community members to participate in the Leelanau County Attainable Housing Survey. The survey is designed to gather public input on housing needs and community priorities to help inform future housing solutions across the county.

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Leelanau Housing Collaborative holds four community focus group meetings

A housing collaborative including the Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation, Sleeping Bear Gateways Council, Housing North, and the Northwest Michigan Rural Housing Partnership will hold a series of community focus group meetings in June. The dates are: June 4 at the Glen Lake Community Library in Empire; June 6 at the Leland Library; June 12 at the Friendship Center in Suttons Bay, and June 13 at Northport School. Each event is 5-7 pm. Join the Leelanau County Housing Collaborative for these interactive evenings to help bring Housing for ALL to Leelanau County.

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Innovative childcare program expands in Leelanau

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One year ago the Leelanau Early Childhood Development Commission launched a campaign to recruit more people to open home-based childcare facilities in Leelanau County—where a dire lack of affordable childcare options has imperiled the ability of young parents to return to work. The commission is well on its way to reach that goal, with three more facilities set to open soon. But the LECDC has also been forced to pivot and work with the state’s licensing agency to include centers outside the home, as well.

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Solving Leelanau’s Child Care Crisis

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For families lucky enough to be on her roster, Rhonda Mack’s home near Lake Leelanau is an ideal safe and nurturing place to leave their young children during the workday. Many more families are stuck in limbo, unable to find affordable childcare for infants and toddlers. The crisis is particularly acute in rural areas. Mack’s business is a model that the Leelanau County Early Childhood Development Commission (LECDC) hopes will inspire at least four or five more home-based childcare businesses to launch during 2022. This month LECDC kicks off a multipronged campaign to recruit others to set up their own home-based child care facilities.

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