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Whimer Announces Housing and Energy Affordability Plans to Lower Cost of Living in Michigan • Michigan Advance

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Whimer Announces Housing and Energy Affordability Plans to Lower Cost of Living in Michigan • Michigan Advance

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced at the Mackinac Policy Conference that her administration is moving the bar to increase its 2026 goal of building or renovating 75,000 affordable housing units by September 2026 to 115,000, and committing to investing federal funds in 28,000 make low-income households more energy efficient to reduce monthly energy costs.

“This year we are implementing the largest housing investment in the history of Michigan. … Let’s focus on how we can reduce the costs of the two biggest expenses that people have, which is housing and energy,” Whitmer said with Michigan housing and environmental leaders at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. “I think we keep our eyes peeled and recognize that lowering costs for citizens and helping more people find an affordable place to live are areas where we all need to find common ground. I’m very optimistic about getting it done.”

In an interview with Whitmer before the Mackinac conference at the Governor’s Mansion, she said Michigan was “ahead of schedule on the goals we have set for housing.

“So increasing our investment, timeline and goals is one thing that will be announced (at the Mackinac conference). And then reducing energy costs. I think the Biden administration has provided us with a lot of resources. “Whether it’s for housing purposes, whether it’s expanding help to lower-income homes to benefit from better energy through…appliances or energy efficiency in homes, etc.”

Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) CEO Amy Hovey at the Mackinac Policy Conference May 29, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols

Whimer set an original goal of creating 75,000 additional affordable housing units in Michigan as part of the 2021 Mackinac Policy, but according to a report from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), which said the agency has already created almost 50,000 apartments ahead of schedule, the target is currently being implemented increased by 53% to 115,000.

The move, said MSHDA Executive Director Amy Hovey Achievement prior to announcement demonstrates the state’s understanding of the widespread impacts that access to housing can have on local communities and the state as a whole.

“If we want economic growth, if we want education levels, if we want people to be happy, if we want crime to go down, it all depends on people having stable quality housing,” Hovey said. the Achievement. “The governor’s faith in our agency to work with partners across the state to build even more housing and increase this goal excites me … the fact that she sees promise in our agency and the fact that she is increasing the goal.” .

Hovey said the 75,000-person goal was always a big one and required the cooperation of state, local and federal partners. Increasing the target only revitalizes the progress MSHDA has made.

“It really energizes me to say, ‘OK, we’re doing this,’ because it gets tiring, you’re in the trenches, trying to make significant changes and attract everyone else, and seeing people see that we’re succeeding.” , is exciting,” Hovey said.

Michigan stakeholders recognize housing as a key component of growing the state’s population and retaining talent in Michigan’s workforce. The Growing Michigan Together Council, which Whitmer tapped to advise on Michigan’s population growth, identified housing as a priority to focus on in the context of population growth In my report in December.

The council said in its report that Michigan is in a “progressive crisis and must act now” as a state fell to 49th place in terms of population growth.

But Michigan is working on things, Whitmer said, recognizing that convincing more people that Michigan is a place worth living will take work.

“Things are moving in the right direction,” Whitmer said. “There are projects going on everywhere to build new housing, revitalize our communities and create more commercial space across the state, and of course we’re fixing the damn roads. Don’t complain to me (about construction). You’re welcome.”

As this state has noted, the cost of living in Michigan is outpacing wage growth some of the highest rent increases in the country in recent years and especially young people are leaving the country in pursuit of higher earnings.

EGLE Director Phil Roos at the Mackinac Policy Conference May 28, 2024 | Susan J. Demas

Part of lowering the cost of living is lowering energy costs for residents, Whitmer said, announcing that Michigan is receiving $367 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s home energy rebate programs and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All programs.

Whitmer said the funds would lower the monthly energy bills of 28,000 Michigan homes by installing solar panels and installing energy-efficient water heaters, furnaces and other appliances.

“Just think about what this quality of life means for people. You can save hundreds of dollars on your bills, you’ll be warmer in the winter and you won’t have to put on a jacket to eat dinner,” Whitmer said. “Your children will come home after a long day of hot summer fun to feel cool and calm. Your home will be less susceptible to extreme weather events caused by climate change, and when you sell it, it will be more attractive to potential buyers.”

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) will lead new energy efficiency financing programs, and department director Phil Roos said the program will be available to families this time next year.