A new effort has begun in Allegan County to address the shortage of housing.
The Allegan Community Foundation says a coalition of groups last year commissioned a report on housing needs in the area, and it found what everyone already knew: Allegan County needs housing at all price points. There’s a housing gap of more than 6,200 units in the next five years.
Now the Housing Stock Work Group has been formed to seek solutions. The group assembled for the first time last week for an education and brainstorming session led by the Allegan County Community Foundation, Housing Next, and Flywheel Consulting. It was centered around the recommendations made by housing assessment. A common theme offered up by one member was “Create a community where your kids can afford to live.”
A full action plan is expected to be rolled out in the spring of this year.
The initiative has the backing of Perrigo, Haworth, Parker-Hannifin, the Gun Lake Tribe, the Rotary Clubs of Allegan County, the Community Action of Allegan County, the United Way of Ottawa and Allegan County, the Allegan County Community Foundation, and more.
