A contract for housing ready assistance from Housing North was unanimously approved by the Leelanau Township board at its regular meeting on Jan. 13. The contract is effective as of Jan. 15 through Jan. 14, 2027 for work performed and services provided in an amount not to exceed $20,000.
The hourly contract for the nonprofit Housing North, an organization that works to remove barriers and support housing solutions in the 10 counties of Northwest Michigan, includes: Providing assistance to put together an RFP (request for proposal) for the 824 N. Warren Street Property as well as a committee to evaluate projects and to connect developers to housing sites; assist the planning commission “to have master plan as friendly to attainable and other housing as possible; and assist in finding and submitting grants to help the process.” In addition, Housing North will provide assistance in developing community and outreach meetings.
“I believe it is in the township’s best interest to have their own contract with Housing North, rather than combine with other local units of government,” said Leelanau Township Supervisor Barbara Conley in her monthly supervisor report. “The work should be focused on the township; however, working with the village and other jurisdictions is reasonable/still remains a goal. The hourly contract will give us a good idea about how much professional help we need.”
