State Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids) speaks at the Housing Reform panel alongside State Rep. Joseph Aragona (R-Macomb County) at Heritage Hall in Lansing on July 16, 2024
LANSING, Mich., July 16, 2024 — State Reps. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids), Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) and Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Township) attended the “Delivering Housing Reform through Planning” event today in Lansing, hosted by the American Planning Association and MLive. The event brought together policymakers, elected officials and local decision-makers to address efforts to lower the cost of housing and promote access to equity building opportunities in Michigan. The panel featured leaders from the Legislature, the city of Grand Rapids, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Office of Rural Prosperity. Elected leaders discussed actionable strategies and innovative policies to advance state-level housing reform through effective planning.
“As the housing crisis intensifies, it is imperative that we work together to develop comprehensive solutions that ensure affordable housing access for all Michiganders,” Grant said. “As chair of the Economic Development and Small Business Subcommittee on Housing, I am committed to enhancing the quality of life for Michiganders across the state with lower costs and better housing options.”
The Michigan House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 5557, Grant’s legislation to require local municipal planners to consider housing when developing master plans for their community alongside other variables. The bill has been transferred to the state Senate for consideration.
“Rent and housing is the largest monthly expense for the majority of Michiganders, which is why affordable and accessible housing is a top priority for my colleagues and me,” Miller said. “While it will take a deliberative and thoughtful approach to address the housing crisis, renters need help now. No matter where someone works, there is no reason a full-time employee’s paycheck shouldn’t cover food, gas and rent.”
Currently, Michigan faces a shortage of nearly 200,000 housing units across the state, driving up costs and making homeownership feel out of reach for too many Michiganders. House Democrats are committed to developing a robust housing market that will not only foster economic growth but also improve our overall quality of life and reduce the cost of living.
“Shelter is a basic human need. Michiganders need comfortable, safe and healthy homes. Ending the housing crisis means investing in existing housing stock and creating new housing opportunities.” Hood stated. “Investing in healthy and green homes, especially our existing housing stock, is great for people’s physical and financial health, and sustains our walkable neighborhoods for another generation or two of Michiganders.”
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