We’re in Crisis!
Our Workforce Can’t Afford to Live in Leelanau County
There is an immediate need for permanent workforce residents such as teachers, firemen, police, road commission workers, and other community builders. This population is struggling to find job-proximate housing in an extreme real estate market dominated by wealthy second-home owners and landholders interested in proximity to the significant value of the national parks.
In Leelanau County, the Area Median Income (AMI) is $71,232.This is significant because, for residents under 80% making $56,987 or less, there are limited opportunities for subsidized rental units. Such opportunities are significantly less viable in Leelanau County, and there is no opportunity for wealth creation through homeownership.
Consider the data in the charts below.
Above: Leelanau County Housing Dashboard by Housing North. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
As you can see, the workforce we depend upon can’t afford to live in Leelanau County or many of the Gateway communities. The drive for workers is 45 – 60 minutes each way and growing. They/we need your help and support!
SBGC is a non-profit 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 Can You 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:
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Please subscribe to our e-newsletter. This sign-up link can be found at the bottom of our homepage.
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Follow us on social media. We are actively posting updates on Facebook and Instagram.
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Please support us with a donation or volunteer with us.