The Strong Towns Podcast Want To Innovate Housing in Your State? Try Copying Michigan.
Oct 6, 2025
Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League, dives into Michigan's innovative housing landscape. He shares how local governments can empower communities through tailored solutions rather than one-size-fits-all policies. Gilmartin discusses the My Home program, aimed at creating a housing-ready ecosystem and addressing affordability issues. He highlights Muskegon's transformation through strategic investments and explains the importance of local stewardship in housing, blending community needs with economic development.
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Horizontal Networks Build Resilience
- Resilient communities have broad horizontal networks rather than vertical, centralized control.
- Local government should host civic collaboration rather than act as sole actor for innovation.
Crisis Fueled Michigan Innovation
- Michigan's economic shocks forced earlier innovation compared with many states.
- Persistent population stagnation created urgency to remake places and try new housing strategies.
Use Partnership Over Preemption
- Use partnership over preemption by aligning state financing, zoning reform, and local implementation.
- Combine best-practice zoning, gap financing, and streamlined processes to accelerate attainable housing.