About Housing Forward
Michigan Attainable Housing & Economic Development
Who We Are
Housing Forward is a community based initiative focused on delivering attainable housing solutions in Midland County and across the region. We exist to move housing from discussion to implementation.
Housing Forward is an initiative of the Midland Business Alliance Economic Development team. Our work supports local employers, residents, and communities by addressing one of the most urgent barriers to economic stability and growth. Housing.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple and direct. Housing Forward is a community based initiative to holistically approach and implement solutions to develop and rehabilitate attainable housing throughout Midland County, funded through the philanthropy of the Charles J. Strosacker & Midland Area Community Foundations.
Who We Serve
We focus on attainable and workforce housing. These are homes affordable to households earning moderate incomes. These households often earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing but not enough to compete in today’s high cost market. This gap affects teachers, nurses, skilled trades, manufacturing workers, service professionals, and growing families. When these households cannot find housing, communities lose workers, employers lose talent, and growth stalls.
How We Work
Housing Forward works across the full housing system. We align data, policy, capital, land use, and local leadership. We focus on practical solutions that can be implemented now. Our work includes supporting housing development projects, improving local readiness, coordinating partners, and building long term capacity.
Regional Leadership and Impact
In June 2025, Housing Forward was selected by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority as the Regional Housing Partnership Lead for Region G. This role expands our work beyond Midland County and positions Housing Forward as the coordinating backbone for regional housing action.
What Is a Regional Housing Partnership?
In September 2022, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority launched the first statewide housing plan for Michigan. The goal of the plan is to address housing challenges and promote the availability of safe, affordable, and sustainable housing options for all residents. The plan recognizes that housing challenges vary by region and require locally driven solutions aligned with a shared statewide strategy.
Why Regional Partnerships Matter
The statewide housing plan depends on collaboration. Housing markets are complex. They involve local governments, developers, lenders, employers, nonprofits, utilities, and residents. No single organization can solve these challenges alone. Regional Housing Partnerships exist to bring these stakeholders together and move them toward aligned action.
How Regional Partnerships Work
Regional Housing Partnerships serve as conveners and coordinators. They use shared data to identify housing needs. They develop regional action plans. They support implementation by aligning local efforts with state tools and resources. The goal is meaningful change at multiple levels. Individual households. Neighborhoods. Communities. Regions. The state as a whole.
Our Role in Region G
Housing Forward was officially selected as the Regional Housing Partnership Lead for Region G through the statewide housing partnership framework at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. In this role, we represent Arenac County, Bay County, Gladwin County, Gratiot County, Isabella County, Midland County, and Saginaw County.
As the Region G lead, Housing Forward coordinates partners across seven counties. We support volunteers, local governments, and organizations as they work to implement the regional housing action plan. We provide structure, tools, and technical support. We help translate state priorities into local projects that can move forward.
Our regional work focuses on aligned action. This includes improving zoning and land use readiness. Advancing priority development sites. Supporting developers and property owners. Connecting projects to funding and financing tools. Tracking progress through shared metrics. Reporting outcomes transparently.
Accountability and Results
Housing Forward is accountable to results. Our success is measured by projects advancing, units delivered, and communities better equipped to produce housing year after year. We believe incremental progress, repeated across communities, creates lasting impact.
Housing is foundational. When housing works, workforce retention improves. Economic development accelerates. Families stay. Communities grow stronger.
Housing Forward exists to help make that happen.