In our efforts to create a better understanding, in addition to dispelling misinformation regarding SBGC’s efforts to establish attainable workforce housing, here are a few facts:
- Our proposal to the Glen Lake Community Schools (the“School”) is to utilize a small portion (40 acres) of the 180-acre parcel owned by the School located in Empire Township for attainable workforce housing. The remaining 140 acres remain forested.
- Accomplishing this goal would be a win for the School and a win for our community, providing attainable workforce housing for teachers, firefighters, police, and administrative staff to have the ability to live in the area where they work and build families.
How Would This Work?
- The School would deed the land back to the DNR, and would then file for an application for a Public Use Deed on this property ata cost of $300.
- The DNR would issue the deed with attainable housing as a permitted use.
- The School would determine the appropriate nonprofit entity to develop and manage the 40-acre site.
- The remaining 140 acres remains the property of the School to be used in accordance with the previously established requirements.
Currently, if the land is not used for recreation or forestry purposes, the land reverts back to the State.
What Other School Districts Are Doing
A January article in the Traverse City Record-Eagle, “Educator housing project clears first step,” highlights what the Traverse City area is doing to support affordable workforce housing.
As Governor Gretchen Witmer is quoted:
“Teachers and first responders have simply been priced out of communities like Traverse City.”
Likewise, workforce housing is in crisis in Leelanau and Benzie Counties.
Read the full article and learn more about what’s happening in Traverse City.
Why We Need Your Support
SBGC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) staffed 100% by volunteers. Our goal is to facilitate additional attainable housing units to grow and maintain a permanent workforce in our community.
Our concept is to provide both rental and homeownership opportunities across a mix of incomes and household types.
How You Can Help
There are several things you can do now to help SBGC in our efforts to mitigate the crisis in workforce housing in our gateway communities:
- Please subscribe to our e-newsletter. This sign-up link can be found at the bottom of our homepage.
- Follow us on social media. We are actively posting updates on Facebook and Instagram.
- Please support us with a donation or volunteer with us.