In an age where access to adequate housing remains a pressing issue for many, Midland County Habitat for Humanity (MCHFH) stands out as a path to sustainable homeownership. This global nonprofit organization’s efforts are alive and well in Midland providing affordable housing to those with low to moderate income. Yet, their impact goes beyond simply constructing houses. Habitat for Humanity creates pathways to housing that strengthen communities and empower individuals and families.

Throughout the region, the shortage of attainable housing is a significant challenge. Many individuals and families find themselves trapped in a cycle of rent, unable to afford safe and decent shelter. Habitat for Humanity steps in to bridge this gap by building homes and revitalizing neighborhoods. Through partnerships with volunteers, donors, and community organizations, they construct affordable housing solutions that meet the specific needs for those in Midland County looking for long-term housing with affordability in mind.

One of the core principles of Habitat for Humanity is ‘sweat equity,’ and involves future homeowners actively participating in the construction of their own homes alongside volunteers and participating in financial coaching to prepare for ownership.

Owning a home is not just about having a place to live; it's also a long-term financial commitment. Habitat for Humanity recognizes this and provides comprehensive financial education and support to prospective homeowners. From budgeting and saving to understanding mortgage terms, individuals and families are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to manage their finances responsibly. This support ensures that homeowners are not just given a house but are prepared to maintain it and thrive in Midland County.

Building with a sense of community in mind
More than a home, Habitat for Humanity projects are also catalysts for broader community engagement. Locally, projects draw on support from DuPont, Dow, Whirlpool, the Home Builders Association, Greater Michigan Construction Academy, the Midland Area Community Foundation, the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and many other organizations.

Volunteers from all walks of life come together to work towards fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. Over the last 35 years Midland County Habitat for Humanity has engaged over 18,000 volunteers over 147,000 volunteer hours in support of home construction and repair. Likely you or someone you know has donated their time on a Habitat project with one of our local businesses or civic organizations. Through that focus on community, Habitat projects become focal points for neighborhood revitalization, sparking positive change that extends far beyond the boundaries of individual homes.

Those efforts have built 91 homes so far in Midland and rehabilitated many more since the organization’s first build in 1989. More importantly, 130 individuals and 195 children have been sustainably housed and have grown up with fewer cost burdens because of that work. In addition, maintenance and repair is an issue for many and Midland County Habitat for Humanity has completed repairs on more than 350 owner-occupied homes.

Building with a long-term vision
Sustainability is at the heart of Habitat for Humanity's approach to housing. Thanks to local expertise from companies like DuPont and skilled trades assistance from Greater Michigan Construction Academy, Habitat homes are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly and built to last. By utilizing green building practices and materials, Habitat reduces the environmental impact of its projects while also lowering long-term maintenance costs for homeowners and energy efficiency translates to predictable energy costs for years to come.

It's that same long-term vision that led MCHFH to undergo a housing study in 2018 along with several other community stakeholders including the Midland Area Community Foundation and the City of Midland. Conducted by the urban planning group czb, the study found that at that time, Midland County was lacking a minimum of 1,000 units of attainable units and overall the community needed more diverse options.
The results of that study in part led MCHFH to add multi-family housing to their portfolio, with the first project completed and sold to homeowners in June of 2023.

But more needs to be done, especially given the additional constraints placed on the community during the pandemic and the 2020 flood, and that is one reason for the need to update the previous housing study in order to fully understand the current needs in Midland County.

With the aim of creating more units, MCHFH is the recipient of federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that will assist with the buying of property through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). That effort will result in 28 buildable lots for homes over the next three years.

Also, as a part of that grant, MCHFH is in the early stages of a partnership with Midland Public Schools that includes the purchase of land and forming a 10-year building trades partnership to support students furthering their skilled trades education while also supporting the mission of Habitat for Humanity.

In addition, MCHFH is in the early stages of purchasing land from Memorial Presbyterian Church near Jefferson Avenue and Wanetah Drive for future development.

“As we evolve and grow we'll continue to prioritize innovation and adapt to the changing needs of our community as well as the economy. These efforts are new and creative solutions that will serve the challenges of affordable housing in our community, such as adding multifamily housing to our portfolio, partnerships to support skilled trades in our community and acquiring additional lots for development,” said Jennifer Chappel, president and CEO of Midland County Habitat for Humanity. “We know that strong and stable homes build strong and stable communities. Whether it's new construction homes, repairing existing housing, revitalization of neighborhoods or the support of families in need. We are dedicated to helping individuals in Midland County