Building Attainable Housing for the Workforce That Powers Our Communities

Housing Forward helps communities build attainable and workforce housing. Homes that match local wages. Homes that support workers, families, and employers.

Across Midland County and the broader region, the lack of attainable housing limits growth. Employers struggle to attract and retain workers. Families delay homeownership. Renters face rising costs with few options. The challenge is not demand. The challenge is supply. Too few homes are being built at price points that local households can afford.

Housing Forward Exists To Close
That Gap

Housing Forward is an initiative of the Midland Business Alliance Economic Development team. Our work is grounded in Midland County and extends across the region. We focus on attainable and workforce housing as a core economic development strategy.

We define attainable and workforce housing as homes affordable to households earning moderate incomes. These are teachers, nurses, skilled trades, manufacturing workers, service professionals, and early career households. These residents earn too much to qualify for deeply subsidized housing and too little to compete in today’s high cost market. This is the missing middle of the housing system.

Region G Housing Forward in Michigan Serving Midland, Saginaw, Clare, Arenac, Gladwin, Gratiot, and Isabella Counties

Housing Forward Operates At
Two Levels

Regionally, Housing Forward serves as the Region G Housing Partnership lead, selected by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority in June 2025. In this role, we coordinate housing action across Arenac, Bay, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw counties. We help align local efforts with statewide housing priorities and resources. Locally, we work out of Midland to support the development and rehabilitation of attainable housing. We partner with local governments, developers, employers, and community organizations to advance projects that can realistically move forward.

Our focus is clear. Workforce and attainable housing is the outcome.

Our Approach Is Ecosystem Based

Workforce housing growth does not happen in isolation. Zoning and land use rules shape what is allowed. Infrastructure capacity affects cost. Financing gaps stall otherwise viable projects. Developer capacity varies by market. Public processes add time and uncertainty. If any one of these systems fails, housing does not get built.

Housing Forward works across the full housing ecosystem to remove these barriers.

How Housing Forward
Moves Projects Forward

Region G Housing Forward in Michigan Serving Midland, Saginaw, Clare, Arenac, Gladwin, Gratiot, and Isabella Counties

We Lead With Data

We maintain and use housing needs assessments to understand gaps in units, price points, and housing types. We translate complex data into practical insights that guide decisions.
Region G Housing Forward in Michigan Serving Midland, Saginaw, Clare, Arenac, Gladwin, Gratiot, and Isabella Counties

We Align Strategy

We help communities move from plans to implementation. We identify priority sites, policy changes, and development opportunities that can deliver results within real world timelines.
Region G Housing Forward Partnership in Michigan supports development of attainable housing for communities

We Support Development

We provide hands on technical assistance to developers and property owners. We help structure projects, connect capital, and navigate early stage execution so attainable housing projects can move forward with less risk.

Region G Housing Forward in Michigan Serving Midland, Saginaw, Clare, Arenac, Gladwin, Gratiot, and Isabella Counties

We Build Local Capacity

We train local leaders, planners, and emerging developers. We share tools that increase confidence and reduce friction. Strong local capacity leads to repeatable housing outcomes.
Region G Housing Forward in Michigan Serving Midland, Saginaw, Clare, Arenac, Gladwin, Gratiot, and Isabella Counties

We Convene Partners

Housing Forward serves as a neutral coordinator. We bring together local governments, employers, lenders, nonprofits, and funders around shared goals and shared metrics. Alignment accelerates progress.

Housing Forward is not a developer and not a regulator. We are a catalyst and project quarterback. We help communities and developers execute housing projects faster and more effectively.

Delivering Measurable
Housing Results

Our work produces measurable results. More attainable housing projects in the pipeline. Faster movement from concept to construction. Better use of state and federal housing tools. Increased readiness to absorb public and private investment. Stronger coordination across jurisdictions.

Housing is foundational. When people can find a home they can afford near where they work, workforce retention improves. Local businesses grow. Families stay. Communities remain competitive.

Who Housing Forward Supports

  • If you are a local official, Housing Forward helps you remove barriers and enable attainable housing.
  • If you are a developer, we help you execute workforce housing projects with fewer unknowns.
  • If you are an employer, we help you support housing solutions that retain your workforce.
  • If you are a funder or lender, we help you deploy capital into viable attainable housing projects.

Housing Forward exists to turn
shared intent into homes.