9/26/2024
Alpena, Mich. – In celebration of its 50th anniversary, and with the knowledge of northeast Michigan’s issues surrounding housing, the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM) is granting a total of $50,000 through three grants to Target Alpena and Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan in support of housing across the region.
“The issue isn’t unique to our region. Communities across Michigan and the U.S. are dealing with affordable housing shortages,” says CFNEM Executive Director Patrick Heraghty. Our board felt it was important to put significant grant dollars in the hands of nonprofits that are actively working to address the issue locally.”
Through these grants, Target Alpena will receive $35,000. $20,000 of that funding will support the organization’s broad work in housing across Michigan’s Region E to ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing housing challenges. Region E includes Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Presque Isle Counties, all of which are in CFNEM’s service area. Region E also includes Otsego and Roscommon Counties. Another $15,000 will be granted to Target Alpena to support deep dives into housing-related data for six population centers in the CFNEM service area, including Alpena, Cheboygan, Mio, East Tawas, Grayling, and West Branch. The housing survey, being conducted by Bowen National Research, is crucial for understanding the current housing landscape and identifying areas of need. The data collected will provide valuable insights that can guide future housing initiatives and policies in the region.
Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan is receiving $15,000 from CFNEM to support its ongoing efforts to build and renovate homes for those in need.
“Habitat for Humanity has a proven track record of making a tangible difference in the lives of families through their housing projects,” says Heraghty. “This grant will help them to continue that impactful work.”
According to the most recent Kids Count data, 22.5% of northeast Michigan families are faced with a high housing burden cost. When families are faced with unaffordable housing, they must take money away from other essentials, face overcrowded living conditions, or must move many times. All of this impacts the family’s health and safety. Additionally, the Kids Count data shows that nearly six percent of children in northeast Michigan are homeless.
“Target Alpena is so appreciative of this grant from CFNEM. Housing remains among the greatest needs for the area and these funds will continue to support our efforts to address the housing shortage,” says Mike Mahler, Director of Economic Development for the Alpena Chamber and Target Alpena. “The problem has numerous facets and requires specific skills to help address. For Target Alpena these funds will allow the continuation of this work.”
Mahler added that for many regional employers, their ability to recruit and retain talent is tied directly to having housing available for those they are seeking to recruit.
“For this reason, we are focused on all types of housing from workforce rentals to ownership options across all price points,” says Mahler. “From the school system, to the hospital, to regional small and large businesses, all are directly impacted by the housing shortage and it is imperative that we address the underlying elements if we are to move the region forward.”
The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to providing people who care about the future of our area with unique and effective ways of supporting their community now, and for generations to come.
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