Ann Arbor’s Housing Crisis
Housing costs are skyrocketing in Ann Arbor. Today, 53% of renters and 19% of homeowners are housing burdended (spending more than 30% of their income housing). While there are many factors contributing to this affordability crisis, one of the key solutions that local government can significantly influence is housing supply. Ann Arbor (like many areas of the US) simply doesn’t have enough housing. Looking simply at U-M growth it’s obvious we have a supply issue. Over the last 20 years, enrollment and employment at the University of Michigan have both grown by almost 25%- undergraduate student enrollment alone has increased by 8,000 students compared to 2004. Unfortunately, U-M’s housing supply hasn’t kept pace. The new dorms under construction on the old Elbel Field are the first units added in decades (2,300 beds).
Since I was elected in 2020, I have been committed to addressing our housing affordability crisis by supporting the addition of new housing units (dedicated affordable housing and market rate), revising ordinances to enable more housing to be built, reducing taxes for low-income home owners, and strengthening protections for renters.
In 2024, Ann Arbor will be updating our Comprehensive Land Use Plan. One of the top issues dividing residents are views towards development and this planning process will allow us to discuss together how we build a community we can be proud of, meets the needs of all our residents, and addresses our housing crisis. Please get engaged and share your thoughts.