Tools & Resources for
Elected & Appointed Officials
Housing policy starts locally. The zoning rules you pass, the master plans you adopt, the development approvals you grant, and the funding tools you choose to deploy shape what gets built in your community and who gets to live there.
The resources in this section are organized for elected and appointed officials across Region G who want to make informed, practical decisions about housing. Most are free. All are designed to help your community move from intention to implementation.
Zoning and Planning Reform
Outdated zoning is one of the most common barriers to housing in our region. The Michigan Association of Planning (MAP) has built a strong set of tools for officials ready to modernize their codes.
- Zoning Reform Toolkit. 15 tools to increase housing choice and supply in Michigan, with descriptions of what each tool does, why it impacts housing, how it works in practice, common obstacles, case studies, and supporting resources. Many of these reforms can be implemented locally without changes to state enabling acts.
- Work Zone: Regulatory Reform in Action. Case studies and examples of Michigan communities that have already implemented zoning reforms.
- Michigan Zoning Map. An interactive tool that analyzes how zoning impacts housing across the state. Fifteen of Michigan’s 83 counties have been mapped so far, representing 60% of the state’s population.
- Education and Resources for Officials. Training workshops and resources for elected and appointed officials on planning, zoning, and housing topics.
Community Development Programs
These programs help local governments build the capacity, planning frameworks,
and partnerships needed to support housing development.
and partnerships needed to support housing development.
- Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC). A free voluntary MEDC program that helps Michigan communities build a foundation of planning, zoning, and economic development best practices. Certified communities have streamlined approval processes that attract investment.
- Michigan Main Street Program. Technical assistance and resources for communities revitalizing and preserving traditional commercial districts.
- Get Housing Ready. MSHDA’s framework and resources for communities preparing to support housing development, including policy guidance and best practices.
- Michigan Municipal League (MML) Resources. Advocacy, housing policy guidance, and technical assistance for local governments on housing issues.
Funding and Incentive Programs
When a project does not pencil, financing is usually the gap. These state and federal programs help close it.
- Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP). MEDC gap financing for place-based infrastructure and real estate rehabilitation and development. More than 238 projects supported statewide since 2022.
- Build MI Community Grant. Gap financing for small-scale, incremental redevelopment projects. Designed for property owners and developers with limited real estate experience. A strong fit for smaller Region G communities.
- CDBG (Community Development Block Grant). Federal block grants administered locally by the cities of Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City. Reach out to your local CDBG administrator for application timelines and eligibility.
- MI Neighborhood Program. MSHDA grants for new construction of affordable housing, supporting both low-income and middle-income units. The Heritage Trails development is an active Region G example.
Data and Technical Assistance
The right data, paired with the right partner, makes good decisions easier.
- CEDAM Technical Assistance. Housing and economic development technical assistance for communities, including training, networking, and capacity building.
- Enterprise Community Partners. Research, resources, and policy tools for understanding community housing needs and supporting affordable housing investment.
How To Use This Section
If your community is new to housing work, start with the Get Housing Ready Guide and the RRC program. If you are ready to reform your zoning, MAP’s Zoning Reform Toolkit is the right place to begin. If you have a specific project ready to move and need financing, RAP, Build MI Community, and CDBG are worth exploring with the relevant state or local administrator.
Housing Forward serves as a regional convener and connector. If you are unsure which resource fits your community’s next step, reach out. We will help you find the right tool and the right partner across Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw counties.
Zoning & Planning Reform
Zoning Reform
Toolkit
15 tools to increase housing choice and supply in Michigan. Includes communications strategies and recommended regulatory changes municipalities can implement NOW without changes to enabling acts.
Work Zone: Regulatory
Reform in Action
Case studies and examples of zoning reform implementation across Michigan communities.
Michigan
Zoning Map
Interactive tool analyzing how zoning impacts the state. 15 of 83 counties mapped (representing 60% of population).
Education & Resources
for Officials
Training workshops and resources for elected and appointed officials on planning, zoning, and housing topics.
Community Development Programs
Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC)
Free voluntary program helping communities build a foundation of planning, zoning, and economic development best practices. Streamlines development approval and attracts investment.
Michigan Main
Street Program
Assists communities in revitalizing and preserving traditional commercial districts. Technical assistance and resources for downtown development.
Get Housing Ready
Resources and guidance for communities to prepare for housing development, including policy frameworks and best practices.
Michigan Municipal
League Resources
Municipal advocacy, housing policy guidance, and technical assistance to local governments on housing issues.
Funding & Incentive Programs
Revitalization and
Placemaking (RAP)
Gap financing for place-based infrastructure and real estate rehabilitation/development. 238+ projects supported statewide since 2022.
Build MI
Community Grant
Gap financing for small-scale, incremental redevelopment projects. Designed for developers and property owners with limited real estate development experience.
CDBG (Community Development Block Grant)
Federal block grants for community development. Administered locally by cities of Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City.
MI Neighborhood
Program
Grants for new construction of affordable housing, supporting both low-income and middle-income units.
Data & Technical Assistance
CEDAM Technical Assistance
Housing and economic development technical assistance for communities. Training, networking, and capacity building.
Enterprise Community Partners
Research, resources, and tools for understanding community housing needs. Policy, capital, and impact resources for affordable housing.