Michigan looks to fix affordable housing problem

Rents and housing prices are increasing in Michigan while existing housing infrastructure is in need of updates to improve energy efficiency and eliminate outdated toxic building materials, according to a coalition of groups who this past week proposed $1.6 billion in spending by the state.

Members of the Resilient Homes Michigan coalition look to attract workers back to the state and modernize rental properties for low-income families to live in homes with clean air and nontoxic materials. Michigan has struggled to maintain its population even losing a congressional seat after the 2020 Census.

Around 320,000 renting households in the state have incomes at or below 30% of the median income for their area. Of those households, 71% spend more than half their income on rent, leaving little money for other expenses, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Michigan is short about 203,000 affordable rental homes for that 71%, the coalition reports.

The shortage isn’t the only problem.

The median age of houses in Michigan was 36 years in 2000, according to an analysis from the state. That was before bans on lead and asbestos material. Michigan residents should live in homes that keep them healthy and safe, members of the Resilient Homes Michigan coalition said during a news conference.

The coalition’s spending plan is a once in a generation investment to not only lower monthly costs of living, but to improve the longevity of homes, said Jason Cole, executive director of the Michigan Minority Contractors Association.

“And another cause for concern is the high levels of lead mold and asbestos in the homes today. We’ve got to do something folks,” Cole said.