Michigan Governor Whitmer Plans $2 Billion Housing Investment

Governor Gretchen Whitmer addressed Michigan's housing crisis during her seventh State of the State address, highlighting a critical shortage of affordable housing affecting young people disproportionately. She announced a $2 billion investment from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority aimed at building, buying, or fixing nearly 11,000 homes to alleviate the crisis. Whitmer emphasized the importance of increasing housing stock, comparing Michigan's performance to states like Texas and Minnesota that have successfully built more homes. Concurrently, concerns about the impact of tariffs on construction costs were raised, underscoring the interconnectedness of housing policy and economic factors. In contrast, a community forum in Australia revealed a strong public desire for housing reform, advocating for solutions like modular building reforms and better renters' rights to tackle their own housing crisis. Both regions demonstrate a growing recognition of the need for innovative approaches to enhance housing availability and affordability.