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We've been hard at work.

Housing prices just keep rising.

Our model, where the land trust owns the land and leases it to homeowners, helps keep homeownership within reach. By selling homes at 75% of their appraised value, we provide a practical, lasting solution to Benzie County’s housing crisis.

 

Grove Place, HTB's first project launched in 2023, proved that this model works. Now, with strong momentum and community trust, we are moving forward to build four more homes at 9th and Corning in Frankfort, ensuring even more families can stay rooted in Benzie.

2025 - 2026

COTTAGES AT CORNING

At the corner of 9th Street and Corning Avenue in the City of Frankfort, HTB plans to break ground on four two-bedroom, cottage-style, single-family homes. Each home includes an attached garage and access to shared community green space. 

The land was secured through a purchase agreement with the Family of Faith Nazarene Church, and proceeds from the sale will be used for building improvements to the church and parsonage. Two parcels will be redrawn to separate the church’s parsonage from the new development. This marks the organization’s second housing initiative, expanding its impact on community-owned housing in Benzie County.  Construction is scheduled to begin this fall, with the homes available for sale by spring 2026. The Housing Trust will partner with Weaver Barns and a team of local contractors and tradespeople to bring the project to life.

Each home requires approximately $50,000 in philanthropic support to close the gap between the development costs and what local families can afford. Help us make this project happen!

CURRENT STATUS:
Land Secured! Site Planning and Home Designs in Progress
2023 - 2024

GROVE PLACE

Our first project was the building of 4 new 3 bed/2 bath homes on Grove Place in Frankfort.  All four homes are complete and occupied by workers in Benzie County, including a librarian, food service worker, graphic designer, grocery store department manager, construction worker, student and a civil service employee.  

Grove Place became the...

  • First CLT housing project realized in Northern Lower Michigan

  • First “Missing Middle” grant-awarded housing built in the state

  • First middle-income housing project built and...

  • Only new middle-income home construction in 15 years in Frankfort city limits

THE IMPACT IS REAL.

After years of searching, saving, and bouncing between rentals, finally having a place to call our own is... indescribable.

Kaitlin Matesich

HTB Homeowner and Board Member

A forest of green trees and a house

PO Box 254

Frankfort, Michigan  49635

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