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 Last week, the State Land Bank Authority (SLBA) participated in the 2023 Building Michigan Communities Conference, focused on bringing together a wide range of attendees including elected officials and housing service providers to discuss the latest developments in addressing affordable housing needs in Michigan.
The SLBA hosted a booth in the exhibitor’s area and Executive Director Emily Doerr participated in a panel discussion on how land banks can be utilized for housing development. As part of a dynamic trio including Anne Giroux of the Marquette County Land Bank and Krista Trout-Edwards of the Calhoun County Land Bank, Emily outlined some of the unique tools that land banks can offer local communities to assist in their goals of expanding local housing opportunities.
“Land banks can assist in linking community partners in ways not previously explored to develop housing in areas of high need,” said Doerr.
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Linda Horak, Property Analyst for the SLBA, was joined by Eric Schertzing, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Land Banks and Justin Horvath, President of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, in a panel discussion on what land banks are and the roles they can play in local communities, both big and small.
“Everyone in Michigan has a land bank, whether it be a local county land bank or the State Land Bank Authority,” said Schertzing. “The tools are available to all communities regardless of size.”
The SLBA encourages anyone with questions about land banks in Michigan or looking to further educate local leaders in the opportunities that land banks can offer to reach out to the SLBA at 517-335-8212 or landbank@michigan.gov. The SLBA staff can bring educational sessions and assist in cultivating relationships between local leaders and land bank resources.
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The mission of the State Land Bank is to create positive economic impact to Michigan communities by facilitating productive reuse of land. |
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