January 2012

Federal funds breathe new life into Lansing neighborhoods

Lansing State Journal - Lansing, Mi
The city of Lansing and the Ingham County Land Bank are working their way through a second round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding from the federal government - more than $17 million. The greater part of the money is being spent on homes that have come into the hands of the land bank through the tax foreclosure process or outright purchase, to demolish those that are beyond repair and renovate a smaller number deemed salvageable.

Village discusses Kalkaska Connects development project; considers property

Morning Star Publishing Company - Kalkaska, MI
In his President’s Report during the Monday night Village Council meeting, Village President Jeff Sieting discussed the Kalkaska Connects development project. The Kalkaska Connects project focuses on the village accumulating property of the 300 block, on the east side of Cedar Street, on both sides of the railroad tracks. This geographical area includes several buildings that have been vacant for quite some time, as well as the former Kalkaska Chamber of Commerce building, to which the village previously awarded a grant, through Rotary Charities, to make repairs.

Historic Pontiac Sears building to be transformed into Lafayette Place Loft

Clink on Detroit - Pontiac, MI
PONTIAC, Mich. - West Construction Services, a builder and developer specializing in historical preservation and architectural excellence, announced Thursday that it has recently kicked off the renovation and restoration of Pontiac’s historic Sears Department Store building. The site is the future home of Lafayette Place Lofts, a LEED - certified residential and commercial mixed-use development.

Housing Property for Homeless Youth Completed in Detroit

MHN Online - Detroit, MI
Also participating in the development were the Wayne County Continuum of Care-Homeless Coalition, the city of Detroit, Wayne County and the Oakman Boulevard Community Association. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority provided financing for the $3.4 million project

Ann Arbor Housing Commission to Expand?

Ann Arbor Chronicle - Ann Arbor, MI
Possible funding sources include low-income housing tax credits, HOME funding, a Federal Home Loan Bank grant, a 221(d)3 mortgage insurance and loan, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) bond financing, and a HUD Section 202 or 811 grant.

Taking a tour: Municipal leaders get update on charred building

Mining Gazette - Hancock, MI
Taking the tour with Lahti were Hancock Mayor William Laitila and City Manager Glenn Anderson, representatives of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the State Historic Preservation Office.

Esky gets funds for bid as historic place

Daily Press - ESCANABA, MI
City officials were informed last fall of the potential funding by the State Historic Preservation Office, a division of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The SHPO grant will pay the costs for Escanaba to apply for a NRHP nomination.

Free class for Newaygo County first-time homebuyers

M Live - Newaygo, MI
FiveCAP, which works to address poverty in Newaygo, Mason, Lake and Manistee counties, is offering homebuyer classes with funds from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Some people don't think about including the cost of property taxes and home insurance when they calculate what payments they can afford, Leiby said. They also have to realize they'll be responsible for performing maintenance and socking away money in case a major appliance breaks.

Housing Property for Homeless Youth Completed in Detroit

Multi-Housing News - Detroit, MI
Also participating in the development were the Wayne County Continuum of Care-Homeless Coalition, the city of Detroit, Wayne County and the Oakman Boulevard Community Association. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority provided financing for the $3.4 million project

Letters: Join the effort to help state's homeless youths

Detroit Free Press - Detroit, MI
As head of homelessness solutions for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), I encourage everyone to take up the Free Press' call to action. All Michigan children deserve a safe and stable place to live and the opportunity to succeed in school.


December 2011

Gentrification talk in review

Model D - Detroit, mi
It was a hot-button issue or no issue at all depending on who you talked to. The panel -- including Noah Stephens, Burney Johnson of MSHDA, Malik Goodwin of Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) and Lori Robinson, B.L.A.C Detroit Magazine and Siwatu Salama-Ra of the East Michigan Environmental Council -- debated the topic head on, and engaged questions from the audience and from moderator Jeff Watrick (MLive), but few sparks flew. It was, as one observer noted afterward, an "emotionally intelligent" discussion. Summarizing the event in MLive, Watrick argued that Detroit was in fact experiencing "de-gentrification" due to "the deterioration and decline accompanying the abandonment of once stable areas by middle-class or affluent people."

OLHSA Pursuing Funds For Emergency Home Repairs

WHMI - Livingston, MI
OLHSA’s Director of Livingston County Services Ericka Karfonta tells WHMI that the funds are available to the county through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and would provide $300,000 for two years for emergency home repairs

Allard receives Williamston Rotary Community Service Award

Lansing State Journal - Lansing, MI
Downtown Rental Rehabilitation projects through partnership with Ingham County Housing Commission/MSHDA Grant.

Hopes high as work on new housing in historic area of Highland Park gets un

Detroit Free Press - Detroit, MI
Highland Park officials gathered Wednesday to celebrate the ground-breaking of a 60-unit housing development in the city's historic district that is expected to revitalize the area and attract new residents. Mayor Hubert Yopp and Trivium Partners announced that the first 18 units are expected to be finished and available for purchase by the summer.

State grants help Marine City build apartments

Port Huron Times Herald - Marine City, MI
MARINE CITY -- State grants are helping Marine City business owners add housing to downtown. Three new apartments are available above Anita's Place, 341 S. Water St. Up to $35,000 for each unit in grants from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority's rental rehabilitation program were used to help fund the renovations.

In the Margins: Saginaw officials deserve nod for timely use of state and f

M Live - Saginaw, MI
SAGINAW — If you get it, you’d better spend it, is the motto coming from the state and federal government regarding Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds, says Saginaw Development Director Odail Thorns.

Michigan to Capitalize on Low-Income Tax Credits

MReport.com - Lansing, MI
In Michigan, low-to-moderate income families will get better housing opportunities thanks to a new tax credit initiative. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) recently announced that the $9.6 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) will go toward renovating affordable rental housing for the state’s lower income and at-risk residents

The West District: Group looks to rebrand, redevelop 'final frontier

M live - Detroit, MI
Plans to rebrand and rehabilitate a portion of downtown Detroit took a major step forward Tuesday, as the Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved more than $17 million in brownfield tax credits to redevelop four historic buildings west of Woodward Avenue.

Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) MSHDA LEED & Green Verification

Alliance for Environmental Sustainability - Lansing, MI
AES can serve Michigan based affordable developers looking to secure funding for Single and Mult – family projects through out the state. MSHDA now has Low Income Housing Tax Credits (“LIHTC”) for developments that are promoting safe, decent, affordable housing. Integral to this effort are specific policies within the QAP that pertain to healthy, green, and sustainable building practices.

Model D Speaker Series On Gentrification Live Tweets

Huffington Post - Detroit, MI
Speakers will include Kurt Metzger, Data Driven Detroit; Noah Stephens, The People of Detroit, Meagan Elliott, a Ph.D. candidate in Sociology & Urban Planning at University of Michigan, Burney Johnson from MSHDA

New Life for an Old Building

WILX.COM - Lansing, Mi
"A good solid city, MSHDA for the rental rehabilitation funds, MEDC with job creation and facade improvement, private ownership and private funding, it takes all those partners to make a building such as this one whole again and real again," said Johnston.

MSHDA Announces $9.6 Million in LIHTC Awards

Housing Finance News - Lansing, Mi
Eight developments have been selected to receive $9.6 million in low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

MSHDA Awards $9.6 Million in Housing Tax Credits

Multifamilybiz.com - Lansing, Mi
LANSING, MI - The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced that nearly 700 units of affordable rental housing will be built or renovated for low- to moderate-income Michigan families, the elderly, people with disabilities and those at risk of homelessness as a result of $9.6 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) approved by MSHDA.

NEMAH receives additional funding for weatherization

The Ogemaw County Herald - West Branch, Mi
WEST BRANCH — Northeast Michigan Affordable Housing has received an additional $118,000 from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to help keep Ogemaw County families who are DTE Energy customers warm this winter.

Investor Tony Goldman interested in Detroit properties

Detroit News - Detroit, MI
The real estate mogul who played a key role in transforming Miami Beach's South Beach and New York City's SoHo areas into art destinations says he's close to making a major investment in downtown Detroit as well as partnering with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to support art projects in the city.

Saline to learn about Michigan Main Street Program

AnnArbor.com - Ann Arbor, MI
he downtown of any community is considered its heart and soul, and keeping it healthy is important to a city's vitality. Saline is getting a helping hand with preserving and revitalizing its downtown from the Michigan Main Street Program. Residents can get an overview of the program on Dec. 14.


November 2011

Housing authority: Vacated tenants of Bancroft-Eddy apartments in Saginaw w

M Live - Saginaw, MI
Residents will receive assistance during the transition, said Donna McMillan, the director of asset management the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, which owns the apartments.

At Ferndale City Council: Valentine Distilling Request OK'd, FernCare

Ferndale Patch - Ferndale, MI
Ferndale City Council gathered Monday evening, discussing various agenda items in less than an hour, including a multitude of events lined up for the city this winter.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority on WJR

WJR - Lansing, MI
WJR 11/27/2011 7:09:52 PM: ...advice and opinions presented on the following from are necessarily those of WT or your Michigan municipal league of the Michigan housing Development Authority present prosperity agenda of news talk 760 W. JR Is it unusual Dan Gillmor wrote about are joined now by award-winning editorial by your home or repressed to Jerry Jeff Walker will review them to force the Liberals were interpreting the...

American House to buy Ridge Valley

Observer & Eccentric - Milford, MI
According to Rob Gillette, chief operating officer of the Bloomfield Hills-based American House, the renovations are key to moving forward with the purchase of the complex from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Most residents in American House's 27 facilities in Michigan choose to eat in the dining hall and the majority of them don't drive, so cutting out 13 parking spaces won't be a problem, he said.

Leaders to discuss future of Bancroft-Eddy apartments in Downtown Saginaw

M Live - Saginaw, MI
Mary Lou Keenon, communications director for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, said Wingate Companies agreed to buy the 120-unit Bancroft Building at 107 S. Washington and the 30-unit Eddy Place at 100 N. Washington in 1983 for $6,328,028.

Council approves MSHDA grant app.

Mining Gazette - Hancock, MI
HANCOCK - The fire-damaged building in downtown Hancock recently purchased by Mike Lahti may get state money for its rehabilitation after action taken Wednesday by the Hancock City Council. Lahti, who wasn't at the council meeting, bought the building at 116 Quincy St., which was damaged by a fire in July 2009. The interior of the building was eventually removed, but the shell is intact.

Historic window workshop in Muskegon promises to create jobs on two fronts

M Live - Muskegon, MI
MUSKEGON — The work the past two weeks at the Grand Trunk Railroad depot downtown looks like someone refurbishing the historic building’s wooden windows. But the real work is going on behind the scenes — job development.

Michigan Receives $7.1 Million in 2011 HUD Sustainable Communities Awards,

PR. Nerwswire - Lansing, Mi
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced the recipients of the 2011 Sustainable Communities Grants, including the nation's largest combined total of $7.1 million in grants to Michigan that will help communities and regions improve their economic competitiveness by connecting housing with good jobs, quality schools and transportation.

Genessee County Land Bank shows homes in Fall Home Tour

M Live - Flint, MI
Money for the rehabs came when the county was awarded $7.5 million in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds in March 2009

SALINE: Momentum builds for Saline's 'Route 12 to Main Street&

The Saline Reporter - Saline, Mi
Saline's "Route 12 to Main Street" campaign is picking up momentum as members of the Saline Historic Downtown Alliance are applying to have the city become a Main Street community through the Michigan Main Street Center.

Feds Seek to Eliminate Duplicate Housing Inspections

Governing Magazine - Lansing, MI
Donna McMillan, director of asset management at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, says this is the quickest federal-state collaboration she's seen in nearly 30 years of public service.

Michigan Among Six States Joining HUD, Treasury and USDA to Reduce Regulato

Market Watch - Lansing, MI
Today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Midwest Regional Administrator Antonio R. Riley, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) Program Director of Multi-Family Housing Programs for Michigan Ghulam Sumbal, and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Executive Director Gary Heidel announced an interagency agreement to reduce duplicate physical inspections of local subsidized affordable housing - allowing developers and owners to focus on delivering more housing and resources to those in need.

The Power of Main Street! Part 4 of 4

Saline Patch - Saline, MI
Our last Michigan Main Street community example is Old Town Lansing. Old Town Lansing was named one of five of the 2011 Great American Main Street Program’s in the nation!

Michigan Among Six States Joining HUD, USDA and Other Federal Agencies to R

Citi Bank - Lansing, MI
Today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Midwest Regional Administrator Antonio R. Riley, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) Program Director of Multi-Family Housing Programs for Michigan Ghulam Sumbal, and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Executive Director Gary Heidel announced an interagency agreement to reduce duplicate physical inspections of local subsidized affordable housing - allowing developers and owners to focus on delivering more housing and resources to those in need.

Six states start federal housing pilot

Civ Source - Lansing, MI
Michigan will lead the pilot program through its State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The memorandum of understanding represents the coordinated efforts of HUD, USDA-RD, Treasury and MSHDA in identifying overlapping requirements between agencies and creating a more unified reporting and inspection process. The pilot is the result of a request from the White House’s Domestic Policy Council to find ways to increase the efficiency and improve service delivery across federal housing agencies.

Michigan Among Six States Joining HUD, Treasury and USDA to Reduce Regulato

PR. Nerwswire - Lansing, MI
Today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Midwest Regional Administrator Antonio R. Riley, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) Program Director of Multi-Family Housing Programs for Michigan Ghulam Sumbal, and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Executive Director Gary Heidel announced an interagency agreement to reduce duplicate physical inspections of local subsidized affordable housing - allowing developers and owners to focus on delivering more housing and resources to those in need.

Muskegon County receives $300,000 for home rehabilitations, emergency repai

M Live - Muskegon, MI
The county accepted this week a $300,000 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to rehabilitate homes outside of the cities of Muskegon, Muskegon Heights and Norton Shores. Those three cities have their own grants for home-rehabilitation programs.

Niles mayoral candidates answer questions

The Niles Star - Niles, Mi
Additionally, we are currently working with the Michigan Housing Development Authority to develop and improve near downtown housing. The idea is to create small neighborhoods with their individual identity mixing moderate and low income housing with market rate housing. These neighborhoods would attract the new generation of urban dwellers and would support restaurants, retail and entertainment within walking distance of the downtown enhancing the base population to help support downtown and riverfront activities.

Good Morning Saline: Choir Concert Tonight, Support for Main Street and Mor

Saline Patch - Saline, MI
Saline's bid to join the Michigan Main Street program at the "select level" received another boost last night when the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in support of the Saline Historic Downtown Alliance's application.

Historic place?

Daily Press - ESCANABA, MI
City officials were recently informed of the potential funding by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), a division of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

Neighborhoods in Transition

Rapid Growth Media - Grand Rapids, Mi
In partnership with the Grand Rapids Public Library and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Rapid Growth presents its November Speaker Series, "Neighborhoods in Transition." This will be an important discussion focused around the book Arc of Justice, a National Book Award winner by author Kevin Boyle, Nov. 9 at the Wealthy Theatre.

News Briefs Property Compliance

Journal of Tax Credits - Lansing, mi
Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is the first state housing finance agency to implement a pilot program designed to reduce regulatory burdens on affordable housing developers. MSHDA, HUD and U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development officials approved in September the agencies' first memorandum of understanding (MOU) to call for the three to align subsidy layering review requirements

Historic Preservation Commission presents Old House Expo; March 19th Con

Examiner.com - Grand Rapids, Mi
Whether you are an 'old house' owner, or maybe just a fan, you're going to want to make plans to attend this years' Old House Expo coming March 19th at the Fountain Street Church. For just $7.00 (adults, seniors $5, and 'little' historians 12 and under - FREE), you'll see demonstrations of various architectural techniques, from replacing window sash ropes (always a tricky endeavor), mortar replacement strategies and even what it takes to do energy audits for your home.