top of page

Housing Stock Innovators Work Group
Expanding Michigan's Housing Horizon
 

The Housing Stock Innovators Work Group is one of three work groups under the Oakland County Regional Housing Partnership. Its purpose is to find transformative solutions to increase the supply of affordable and attainable housing across the full spectrum of housing needs – From single individuals to families, seniors, veterans and beyond. The group consists of housing, policy and community experts all working toward building these new strategic initiatives.

​

With direction from the Michigan Statewide Housing Plan, the Housing Stock Innovators Work Group has two main goals guiding its work:

 

  • Increase the supply of the full spectrum of housing that is affordable and attainable to Michigan residents.

  • Expand the use of equitable and holistic local planning and zoning practices to increase housing supply.

​

To achieve these goals, the group has three main strategies:

 

  1. Advocate at the federal and state levels for increased funding, including gap funding, to support affordable and attainable housing ranging from small- to large-scale housing development.
     

  2. Provide education, including but not limited to local planning officials and attorneys, and the public, about discriminatory zoning and the benefits of equitable zoning reform.
     

  3. Develop model language for zoning amendments or overlays that remove obstacles to increasing the housing supply.

2.png
Adapting Development & Zoning for an Equitable Future
​

Effects of Zoning in the United States

​

Exclusion of land development and zoning is about the exclusion of people, not the exclusion of buildings and housing types.

​

When communities across the U.S. began adopting development and zoning ordinances over a century ago, many policies centered on promoting public health and safety. While these are laudable goals, zoning & land development laws have also long been used to discriminate against Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, and those with low income.

​

Equity in development & zoning procedures means including the people in the process:

​

  • Community participation has long been emphasized when a community prepares a Comprehensive or Master Plan.

  • When drafting and implementing development and zoning regulations and ordinances, participation typically occurs during required Public Hearings per Michigan Zoning Enabling Act 110 of 2006.

  • Minimal participation is a serious mistake. Community involvement is as critical to eliminate racism and discrimination in Zoning as it is Planning.
     

What is Zoning Reform?

​

  • Simplifying zoning can reduce the cost and timeframe of development and support attainability.

  • Streamlining the approval process may incentivize community-supported investments.

  • Aligning zoning with community needs and market demand may unlock funds for features that support health, equity, resilience and sustainability. 

3.png
Work Group Recommendations
​

Below are some of the recommendations for zoning reform the OCRHP is working on:

Changes to the 

DISTRICTS

  •  Collapse zone districts

  • Add mixed-use/ multi-family in commercial districts

  • Expand allowable uses in residential districts

  • Performance standards for uses

Changes to 

FORM AND CONTEXT

  • Reduce minimum lot width + area requirements

  • Reduce or eliminate minimum dwelling unit size

  • Missing middle housing (including ADUs)

  • Density/height bonus

  • Form and site standards

R

Changes to the 

PROCESSES

  • Eliminate or reduce elected body approvals

  • Expand administrative review

  • Pre-approved plans

  • More flexible approach to nonconformities

  • Police power ordinances to regulate nuisance

R
4.png
Resources
​

American Planning Association Michigan Chapter Zoning Reform Toolkit

www.planningmi.org/zoning-reform

(pdf)

​

Michigan Zoning Atlas

www.mizoningatlas.org

A Zoning Atlas is an interactive map that shows how land can be used across districts and jurisdictions. Michigan is joining 30 other states to begin building this exciting new tool that can help make this complex information available to all.

​

This Used To Be Normal: Pattern Book Homes for the 21st Century

Made possible by the Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, this publication explores a history and strategy for new infill construction focused specifically on multi-unit housing.

(pdf)

bottom of page