I have held this position for approximately nine months and never anticipated how rewarding it would be. While I often facilitate numerous discussions and observe many ongoing projects, it has been thrilling to engage with initiatives, both large and small, that are striving to come to fruition. I urge you to pay attention to your local township or city meetings and attend in support of housing whenever possible! Click here to access Housing North’s Guide to Public Comment. One of the most significant challenges we encounter comes from vocal individuals who oppose housing developments near their areas.

Emmet County, in particular, has achieved notable successes over the past couple of years, yet the demand for housing still far exceeds current construction. The need for housing is not about attracting more newcomers from other regions; it’s about sustaining and retaining our existing community members.

• *Fun fact:* Did you know that 6,834 individuals commute into Emmet County from surrounding areas each day for work? These non-residents comprise nearly half (47.6%) of the county's employed population and represent a significant base of potential support for future residential development.

For more information, please refer to the Housing Needs Assessment.

Additionally, the county's labor force is based primarily on four sectors: Health Care and Social Assistance (25.7%), Retail Trade (13.6%), Accommodation and Food Services (12.0%), and Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (10.1%).

Overall, senior households (age 55 and older) constitute well over half (55.3%) of all households within Emmet County.

So when you hear the term “workforce” housing, know that we are talking about doctors, nurses, physicians' assistants, techs, and more. Our health systems face challenges with recruitment because of a lack of attainable housing.

If we haven't met yet, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to talk! You can schedule a phone call, virtual meeting, or in-person meeting with me on my calendar here.