Community Housing Network Expands Statewide as Rural Housing Costs Surge

As housing costs spike in Michigan’s rural communities, Community Housing Network works to address the problem of affordability

The subject of affordability is getting a considerable amount of attention these days, with high housing costs squeezing the budgets of more working families. But high rents and housing costs – traditionally associated with more densely populated urban areas – are increasingly pervasive in all our communities, most notably in our rural areas.

The real estate brokerage firm Redfin recently released a report that showed home price increases in Michigan’s rural communities have outpaced urban and suburban areas since the pandemic. According to the report, the median rural Michigan home price is $230,000, up 75% from $131,000 in 2019.

The state’s rural housing spike is the ninth highest in the U.S. – with increases averaging 61% nationwide – and it was the highest of any state in the Midwest. Median household incomes in rural America have only risen by 33% over the same period. Our nationwide housing crisis is now accelerating fastest in rural communities.

Community Housing Network has recognized this need, which is why we’ve started developing affordable housing throughout the state. Last year, we completed Garfield Landing and The Annex in Sault Ste. Marie, and in October we completed Victories Square in Petoskey. And although these are rental properties, many of the rents are tied to income levels and are offering relief for out-state communities with housing shortages.

In total, Community Housing Network has developed 411 affordable housing units it controls throughout the state. While most are in Metro Detroit, 93 of these are in rural communities, with applications on 84 additional units pending with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

Community Housing Network is also developing 40 units of affordable housing in Port Huron, which – while technically not considered a rural community – is outside of the most densely populated Metro Detroit region. The project, known as the Lincoln Avenue Lofts, was recently awarded a $500,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis to help with its construction costs, which was sponsored locally by Genisys Credit Union.

More housing development is needed in communities throughout the country, and Community Housing Network is poised to be part of the solution… not just in Metro Detroit, but throughout the whole state.