Michigan Voices for Housing

Video Editor from Allendale

Despite being a mid-stage adult, he resides with his mother to manage expenses like student and car loans. 

Triston contributes approximately $500 towards their monthly rent, but his desire for independence is stalled in the current housing market.

Even studio apartments currently cost over double his current rent, making it unaffordable to live on a single income. 

Even established adults, like his mother, struggle to find homes to purchase due to skyrocketing market prices. 

Real Estate Agent, Grand Rapids

Wyatt felt he had to "house hack" for his first home—buying a duplex and renting out one half in order to manage costs. 

Wyatt originally sought a home in 2021 with a $180,000 budget, but the high median cost of a home forced a compromise. 

In his role as a realtor, he sees clients making 5 to 8 offers per house, making it a demoralizing and difficult process.

Competition is so fierce that some buyers must take on extreme risks like waiving inspections to have a chance, putting them in potentially dangerous situations.

Disability Justice Advocate, Lansing

Despite moving to Michigan from Washington, D.C. for a lower cost of living, she has seen her monthly rent increase from under $1,200 to $1,350 since 2021.

Waverly enjoys the style of her home, but the lack of control over maintenance and property management has made her rental experience increasingly stressful.

Her rental experience has been incredibly frustrating and increasingly expensive, but high mortgage costs have prevented her from buying a home.

Registered Nurse, Hudsonville

Despite her position as an RN, Amanda finds the housing market difficult to navigate, and finding a suitable home with enough space for her growing family has been a constant struggle.

Saving for a traditional down payment is a significant hurdle, but high competition often forces first-time buyers into bidding wars above listing prices.

Homes within her budget are often in disrepair or too small, while dream homes remain wildly unaffordable for those without substantial savings.

Equipment Support Professional, North Muskegon

Jason and his wife felt they needed to enter a "unique" land contract with her parents– using them as their "bank" for their mortgage to ensure they could afford a home.

In his unique situation, he notes that many others cannot access homeownership without family, calling it a "rare" opportunity to have such a ladder lowered. 

The current market is so prohibitive that bank interest rates are unaffordable for many individuals without private financial assistance, making equity in housing a critical issue. 

Elementary School Teacher, Hudsonville

While living with her parents reduces her financial burden and allowed her to pay off her college loans, she feels a social barrier and a lack of freedom without her own place.

However, Kayla has found that high monthly mortgages are a significant barrier to independent living on a single teacher's salary.

Small Business Owner & Parents, Grandville

While they currently own their home, they are significantly cost burdened, with over a third of their income dedicated to their mortgage. 

They also feel frustrated with their inability to build an ADU in an empty section of their property for their family to stay in, as current zoning laws prevent them from building there.

They searched for a home for an entire year but found that most standard market listings were too expensive or required excessive updates. 

They only secured their home by purchasing a distressed property through a family connection, but it required extensive DIY work to become livable.