State Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids) speaks as part of the American Planning Association Housing Conference panel on Aug. 20, 2024.
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 27, 2024 — State Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids) introduced a bill package today to create the Community Investment Program through the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC). House Bills 6020 and 6021 will allow tax savings for corporate or individual donors to the Community Investment Program. Nonprofit, place-based organizations focused on economic development will be eligible for direct contributions to further community efforts in affordable housing, business corridor investment, small business development, and overall investment in distressed communities.
Grant, Chair of the Subcommittee on Housing, continues to champion Michigan’s solutions to address the Housing shortage. “Community Investment Programs are innovative, solution-oriented ways for us to invigorate the local economy in urban and rural communities across Michigan. This type of program allows for more public-private partnerships with the common goal of revitalizing the community, attracting more businesses and economic power and growing the local economy from within the community itself,” Grant said.
Bill co-sponsor of HB 6020, state Rep. Jasper Martus (D-Flushing) welcomes the opportunity to open the doors for homeownership and housing stability for more Michiganders.
“As a state representative, I serve the people — it’s my duty and my priority,” said state Rep. Jasper R. Martus (D-Flushing), vice chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity. “My community, and many across the state, need avenues for further growth and prosperity — that is why I co-sponsored a bill in this package. These community initiatives will help cultivate the hometown our people need and want with more affordable housing and better opportunity.”
Michigan Democrats made record investments to build affordable housing, already reducing the statewide housing shortage by 50,000 units. Community Investment Programs can help with the crisis.
“This legislation gives small- to medium-sized neighborhood and rural community revitalization projects the time, attention and access to compete for projects that are more grassroots and community-led. Big projects get big dollars for economic growth, but this legislation focuses on empowering smaller investors, groups and organizations who are doing the work — the boots on the ground — to grow and revitalize neighborhoods and the local economy in their respective communities. My bills provide long-term, sustainable pathways for local, community-led economic development,” Grant said.
So far this legislative season, Democrats have led the charge to address the housing crisis in a number of ways, including $100 million to address housing affordability, $66.6 million for various local and regional housing projects and competitive grant programs, and $33.4 million for homeowner affordability grants and housing stock.
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