Leah DuMouchel, Director of Programs and Communications with Michigan Association Planning, presented to the Oshtemo Township Planning Commission on Thursday, May 14, about the housing crisis. Specifically, she spoke about how zoning contributes to the increasing costs of housing across the state.
DuMouchel shared a graphic showing that the average cost of a house in Michigan in 1985 was $79,995, with a household median of $ 61,640. In 2023, the average cost of a house exploded to $393,150, while the household median income barely limped up to $76,960. As a side note, my parents’ first house in Chicago, which they sold for $60,000 in the early 80s, went for $1.3 million just few years ago.
Interestingly, DuMouchel connected local zoning and code decisions to rising housing costs. Obviously, it’s not the only reason, but definitely a contributing factor.
She offered an alliterative mnemonic for why zoning can affect housing costs: Lumber, Labor, Land, Loans, and Law. She proceeded to go into detail as she made the case for modernizing the way towns think of zoning.
Oshtemo Township is growing, and with that comes the associated growing pains of housing. There are many mindsets in the township as to how the growth should look, how fast it should happen, and even if they should call themselves a city now or later. No matter the answer to any of those questions, housing remains a foundational concern.
The days of two factory workers with children being able to afford a decent apartment may be fleeting, but at least there are some in the state that are offering solutions to rein in housing costs.
I highly encourage you to watch all the speakers address zoning reform and other housing concerns at the May 14 Planning Commission meeting. As a bonus, check out the public comments, too, as people voice other concerns on their minds.
