Dear Friend,
This summer, I have been proud to join many of you in various demonstrations and meetings to bring to light the senior housing crisis facing our community and our state. As Michigan’s population ages, the demand for affordable senior housing increases too, and with an economy on the upswing, that means housing prices have been rising throughout the state. Too many landlords are now taking advantage of the increase in demand for housing by converting subsidized units to market-rate housing. Here at home, we’ve had popular rent-controlled senior housing complexes being converted to market-rate units. It’s unacceptable to treat our seniors this way and, as lawmakers, it is our obligation to ensure that our seniors are not marginalized or discriminated against.
That is why I will be hosting a coalition of legislators, staff members and interested stakeholders to discuss the issue of affordable senior housing in Michigan with my special guest Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), along with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and experts in the senior housing field.
I will always fight for what is right, and that includes working to make housing affordable for all members of our community. I look forward to providing you with updates on the results of this coalition’s meeting.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (517) 373-1771, or email me at RonniePeterson@house.mi.gov. You can also visit my website at Peterson.housedems.com to learn about what I have been working on in Lansing and when my upcoming coffee hours will be.
Sincerely,
Ronnie Peterson
State Representative
54th House District