TASK FORCE AIMS TO MOVE HOUSING FORWARD IN OTSEGO COUNTY
Community committee begins addressing housing challenges facing the region
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Gaylord, MI July 22, 2024
The Otsego Housing Task Force, a group of 17 community leaders focused on improving housing attainability in Otsego County, today announced the launch of the task force’s mission statement and one-year goals for the group.
The State of Michigan Housing Plan segments regions of the state and forms regional housing alliances. Region E has been named the Northeast Michigan Housing Alliance (NMHA) of which Otsego County is part of. One of the goals the NMHA submitted to the State was that every county in the region has a housing task force, hence the creation of the Otsego Housing Task Force. Each housing task force in Region E nominates a representative to serve on the NMHA Board of Directors. This Board will have 11 advisory seats, one for each county, ensuring that all regions are represented.
The Otsego Community Foundation is serving as the anchor organization for the Otsego Housing Task Force. The Foundation has a history of convening, collaborating, and partnering to pursue the community’s greatest opportunities and address the most critical challenges. They decided to take on the call for action from the Northeast Michigan Housing Alliance and form the Otsego Housing Task Force. “The Otsego Housing Task Force hopes to be a catalyst for change in our community. Convening this group is the first of many steps to help the residents of Otsego County have attainable housing options. I’m honored and excited to be part of this initiative”, said Karin Beyer, Director of Community Philanthropy at the Otsego Community Foundation.
The Otsego Housing Task Force has a clear mission statement: Moving Housing Forward. The task force’s first meeting was in May 2024 in which the group laid out goals for the first year. The goals include updating the 2022 Otsego County housing assessment, educating the public on housing data through the County, conducting community outreach through town hall meetings, and hosting a developer day to showcase the County to potential investors. “The one-year goals of the Otsego Housing Task Force are crucial in laying the foundation for long-term housing solutions in our community,” said Jane MacKenzie, Executive Director of Northern Homes Community Development Corporation. “Updating the housing assessment, educating the public, and engaging with developers are key steps that will drive impactful change. I am honored to be part of this task force because I believe in the power of collaborative efforts to address our housing challenges and improve the quality of life for all Otsego County residents.”
The Otsego Housing Task Force is a 17 member organization of community leaders focused on the task force mission of “moving housing forward” in Otsego County. Through education, outreach, and marketing the County to investors, the task force hopes to create more attainable housing options for residents across the county. To participate in the task force’s mission, please take the online housing survey at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCNNSNY
Contact Information:
Karin Beyer