Peninsula Housing

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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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Cherry Republic’s December giving campaign focuses on need for housing

Each December, Cherry Republic launches a “31 Days of Giving” campaign, which in the past has supported farmers, environmental and renewable energy initiatives, and land preservation. During the first week of December 2025, the Glen Arbor-based company reported in a blog post that it is giving to organizations working to reduce the tremendous shortage of housing in Northern Michigan. The problem is particularly acute, especially here in Leelanau. “We are proud to have housing as a priority in our giving this December,” the company reported in a blog post.

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Leelanau’s influencers of 2024

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With 2024 in the rearview mirror and 2025 upon us, we’re recognizing 25 “influencers” we covered in the Glen Arbor Sun this past year who are making a meaningful impact on Leelanau County communities, commerce, and culture. Read below about those 25 local influencers, who include everyone from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, to Leelanau Investing for Teens, to Empire’s polar dippers, to popular new destinations River Club Glen Arbor, the Sleeping Bear Inn, and the Lively’s NeighborFood Market.

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Grand Traverse Band, New Community Vision, re-acquire Mashkiigaki on former Timber Shores property

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The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the New Community Vision (NCV) nonprofit have reacquired land historically known as “Mashkiigaki” (formerly called Timber Shores)—which totals more than 200 acres along West Grand Traverse Bay between Suttons Bay and Northport. The Band gets more than 188 acres, including 1,800 feet of pristine shoreline; NCV gets 24 acres along M-22. The transfer deed was recorded on Dec. 26. New Community Vision has worked for two years to acquire and preserve the former Timber Shores property, which developers unsuccessfully tried to turn into an RV park until they were stopped by a ballot referendum in 2022. NCV is collaborating with Peninsula Housing to develop attainable housing on its portion of the land. Mashkiigaki is one of the largest undeveloped coastal properties in the Grand Traverse region.

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League of Women Voters examine Affordable Housing in Leelanau County

The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County for its November Forum is presenting “Affordable Housing in Leelanau County: What is it Exactly?”, featuring Larry Mawby, president of Peninsular Housing. Mawby will provide an informative overview of what affordable housing means to those who live in Leelanau County. Time for Q & A will be given at the end of the presentation. This free event is open to the public. It will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 2:30 pm at the Leelanau County Government Center.

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Peninsula Housing launches new website

Peninsula Housing, the community land trust dedicated to providing secure, affordable housing for Leelanau County, has launched a newly designed website which, according to founder Larry Mawby, “reflects our work well, gives users more information about us, shows the projects we are working on, while inviting users to participate in our work.”

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Peninsula Housing hosts community workshop in Suttons Bay

Peninsula Housing invites the public to participate in a workshop to explore housing options for 980 S Herman Road and 339 South St. Mary’s Street. A public meeting will be held on Thursday, May 2, from 6-7:30 pm at the Suttons Bay / Bingham Fire Station Community Room (201 South St. Mary’s Avenue in Suttons Bay). Peninsula Housing will present options for housing and amenities on two sites and community members will have opportunities to share their ideas.

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Peninsula Housing sells its first affordable home in Northport

Peninsula Housing announced this weekend that the affordable housing nonprofit is excited to welcome John and Kelly Kehl as new homeowners of an affordable home in the village of Northport. The Leelanau natives are grateful for the community of support that made this possible, and Kelly stated in a press release, “We were the first applicants to reach the finish line through this program, and I can’t wait to show others it’s possible to buy a home in northern Michigan!” The Kehls purchased their home on Ransom Street for $220,000, according to Peninsula Housing founder and board president Larry Mawby.

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Twin Flames, Boat Fire, The Mill opens: Glen Arbor Sun’s top viewed stories of 2023

This year was a banner year for news in Leelanau County. The Glen Arbor Sun’s top viewed stories on our website in 2023 included the strange—a relationship coaching cult in Suttons Bay (“Twin Flames, a Suttons Bay cult, an inferno of controversy” was our fourth most-viewed story of all time); the heroic—a neighborhood effort to rescue boaters from a burning craft; the celebratory—The Mill made its long awaited opening on the Crystal River, and collaboration between the National Lakeshore and Leelanau Conservancy to preserve Glen Lake ridge property; the breaking news—an 18-hole putting course and restaurant planned to open next year in Glen Arbor; the historical—our 12-part series covering Leelanau’s farming families; and the reflective—remembering Horndog Newt Cole. Thanks for your readership, and Happy New Year! Here’s the list of our top 10 stories by online views in 2023.

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