The door is cracked open and shining light on the complex affordable housing crisis.
Glen Lake Community Schools owns a forested 180acre property on Benzonia Trail in southern Empire Township, which the school district inherited when Empire, Maple City, Glen Arbor schools consolidated in 1955.
In the spring 2023, Rick Schanhals, a Glen Lake School Board member since 2019, inquired with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about the possibility of using the property for affordable housing, instead of its initial use of forestry and recreation.
Leelanau County isn’t the only place dealing with a housing crisis — everyone is. But government entities, especially on the peninsula, are struggling.
Speak with anyone interviewing job candidates. It’s not a problem finding qualified candidates, but the lack of affordable housing opportunities which leaves positions unfilled.
The DNR shot down first attempts at communication because the 180-acre land is considered “prime” property, a piece of land over 120-acres, that was given to a school district for a specific use through Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act 451.
Glen Lake is on the verge of overturning the original use that was on the property’s deed. The property would be “primed” meaning a development would be used for government employees for the first five years then the general public would be let in.
We don’t know how we feel about limiting the housing to government employees, but that’s just one of many details that need to be hammered out.
Recent advances have been made on the affordable housing front. Residents at the Vineyard View apartment complex will mark the first year at their new homes in December.
The eight-unit complex on Marek Road was established by Homestretch Non-Profit Housing Corporation.
Larry Mawby has also made gains with his Peninsula Housing which aims to create more housing opportunities. This organization works as a Community Land Trust (CLT), a model designed to hold land in perpetuity. Homes built through the trust can be bought, sold or owned, while the CLT maintains ownership of the land itself.
Habitat for Humanity-Grand Traverse has also stepped up building homes in Maple City and now in Elmwood Township.
Earlier this month, the Leelanau Christian Neighbors announced the purchase of a home at the northeast corner North Eagle Hwy. and East Duck Lake Road.
They too are working with HomeStretch to provide housing for a small family.
It’s a huge problem that won’t be solved in one fell swoop. It’ll take more and more “local” efforts to expand housing opportunities on the peninsula.
The 10th annual Northwest Michigan Housing Summit, held today and tomorrow in Traverse City, is featuring sessions, workshops, and unique opportunities for learning and networking with a focus on housing.
Every little bit helps.
