Lansing, Michigan – Michigan’s housing squeeze is no longer just a policy debate in Lansing. For many families, first-time buyers and young people trying to build a future in the state, it has become a daily question of whether they can afford to stay.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released new results from a constituent housing survey of more than 1,700 people, showing broad concern over rising costs, limited supply and the growing pressure placed on household budgets.
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The survey found that 91% of respondents believe high housing costs and low availability are keeping too many young people and families from buying their first home in Michigan, while 82% said state leaders should take action to make housing more affordable and attainable.
“Every Michigander deserves an affordable place to call home,” said Governor Whitmer.
“I’m proud of our work to build and renovate 90,000 affordable homes across Michigan and help more families achieve the American dream of homeownership, but we know there’s more to do. This survey shows that the vast majority of Michiganders say they pay too much for housing and want action to lower the cost of living. That’s why I released the Build, Baby, Build plan to enact a state level affordable housing tax credit to incentivize more building and demolish nonsensical zoning and construction requirements so more shovels can hit dirt. Let’s Build, Baby, Build so more Michigan families can live, work, and thrive right here in Michigan.”
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The full survey results were released by the governor’s office on May 13 and are available through the state’s official announcement.
The responses point to a problem felt across communities. More than 80% of those surveyed said housing in their area is unaffordable, including nearly half who described it as very unaffordable.
Another 73% said their housing costs have gone up over the past two years, and 60% said they are paying too much for housing.
For some residents, the issue is shaping major life decisions. Nearly half said housing challenges have made them consider leaving their community.
Among people looking for their first home, only 11% said they could comfortably afford the current average monthly cost of a Michigan starter home.
The state says it has built and renovated more than 90,000 homes since Whitmer took office, while also helping more than 6,000 residents purchase homes through down-payment assistance. Still, Michigan faces a shortage of more than 119,000 housing units.
Whitmer’s Build, Baby, Build plan calls for a state-level affordable housing tax credit and Housing Ready policies aimed at reducing barriers to construction.
According to the survey, 74% of respondents support making it faster and easier to build housing, with many backing streamlined approvals and incentives for affordable housing development.