Volume 1, Issue 18 SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
Housing Needs Assessment to serve as guide for decision-making in Oceana County to not only share information but to begin planning for the future. “The report states we need 1,400 homes within five years. That’s a tall order. What’s next?” she asked. In the coming weeks, the county will be putting together a housing coalition made up of stakeholders from across the county, from financial institutions and social service agencies to businesses and homeowners. “We won’t be reinventing the wheel. We’ll be reviewing this data,
looking at what’s working elsewhere, and tweaking ideas to move forward for our community,” said Tuinstra. Following Bowen’s presentation, it was shared that the Oceana Economic Alliance will be holding a Developer Day opportunity on Friday, Oct. 6. Details for the event can be found on Dogwood Community Development’s or the Oceana Economic Alliance’s website or Facebook pages.
8th Annual Oceana Coat Drive seeks donations, distribution event planned
Winter Gear is Being Collected to Help Keep Oceana Families Warm District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) in collaboration with Meridian Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, United Way of the Lakeshore, Peterson Farms Inc., Gray and Company, GHSP, the Oceana County Council on Aging, the Oceana County Sheriff’s Department and the Roadside farm stand, is hosting the Annual Winter Coat Drive to help keep Oceana County residents warm. This is the eighth year of the Oceana community coming together to collect new or clean, gently used winter coats, snow pants, winter boots, hats and gloves. As in years past, these items will be provided to families in need during a special distribution event. The most requested coat sizes are for youth, including teenag-
ers 18 years and younger. Snow pants are also highly requested for elementary and middle school-aged youth. Donations may be dropped off now through Oct. 4, 2023, during normal business hours at the following locations: DHD#10, 3986 N. Oceana Dr. in Hart; Oceana County Council on Aging, 4250 W. Tyler Rd. in Hart; Oceana County Sheriff’s Department, 216 Lincoln St. in Hart; The Roadside, 4105 S. Pere Marquette Hwy in Ludington. Coats will be distributed on Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 3-6 p.m. at District Health Department (DHD) #10 Hart office. In addition to the coat drive, DHD#10 will also be offering walk-in vaccinations, including flu and Covid.
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is where jobs go to sleep at night.’ We at Dogwood believe everyone should have safe, dignified and affordable housing, and that housing affects every aspect of our community. And when we encourage developers, we’re not just courting the big players. We also want to encourage the small incremental developers who are buying, flipping and creating units where they weren’t before, one at a time.” Tuinstra said that the goal of the morning was
DR PARK INDUSTRIAL
RESIDENTIAL POSTAL CUSTOMER PAID ECRWSS BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307
Over 50 people attended the Oceana County Housing Needs Assessment presentation Wednesday morning at the West Michigan Research Station in Hart. County Commissioner Phil Morse opened the gathering by asking those assembled, “What does housing look like?” He proceeded to give a sentimental viewpoint of what home ownership may appear from the outside, saying housing looks like young families in their first starter home, the sound of music coming through a window or the dishwasher running, the laughter heard at a backyard barbecue or kids running through the sprinkler on a hot summer day or smelling fresh cut grass on a Saturday morning. And as the family grows up and out, the cycle starts all over again. “Housing is more than just a place to live; it’s about homes where living happens.” With that introduction, Patrick Bowen of Bowen National Research, located in Ohio, presented his group’s findings. The study, commissioned by Oceana County, took place earlier this year and was paid for using some of the county’s ARPA
tives to encourage further development; supporting specific product types and locations that can appeal to seniors or younger households; supporting the preservation of current housing stock, possibly through home improvement or weatherization grants; educating citizens, property owners and other stakeholders with regards to the importance of home ownership, property values and how it all relates to the local economy; developing strategies to attract current commuters that may eventually live in the county and marketing to future developers. Questions from those in attendance ranged from “How attractive is Oceana County to developers?” or “How does Oceana’s data compare to surrounding areas?” and “Did any of the study address the availability of skilled contractors?” Comments included, “While talking about housing in the county, we also need to collaborate regarding child care and transportation, two other critical needs in the county.” Curtis Burnette of the Oceana Economic Alliance announced they are working on a workforce training initiative to assist businesses needing qualified employees. Morse also reminded the group of the county’s broadband committee that has been working to gain greater internet access across the county. Bowen concurred, saying that child care, transportation and broadband are the top three issues he hears about related to the current housing situation. Executive Director for Dogwood Community Development in Hart, Kittie Tuinstra, wrapped up the presentation by stressing that the information shared was meant to be available to everyone. “It isn’t meant to be set on a shelf, but become dog-eared over the years as we use it to guide decision-making. From this data can come incredible opportunities. It’s been said, ‘Housing
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The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
(American Rescue Plan Act) funds. The very extensive report is over 300 pages in length and will be shared with area municipalities in the hopes that the information can be made available to local stakeholders. Bowen took about an hour to present an abbreviated overview of the information in a PowerPoint presentation format. The report included data from the 62 community members who responded to the survey. Of those, 14 were employers. Bowen also reported that his staff traveled extensively throughout the entire county, putting their eyes on the current housing available and finding possible options for future home development or non-conventional rentals. Some of the more interesting data collected included that just over 2,000 people commute into the county every day for work, while over 6,500 leave the county for employment daily. The survey showed that 40 percent of commuters would likely stay in the county if housing were available. “There is definitely opportunity,” Bowen said. It was really no surprise to find that there were waiting lists at every rental property or that there were very few three-bedroom rentals available. The study produced a lot of other interesting statistics related to the county’s housing situation, such as population characteristics, renter households by income, owner household income, available for-sale housing, vacation rental housing, overcrowded housing factors, typical jobs/wages compared to housing affordability, potential barriers to residential development and development opportunities. Bowen’s recommendations for Oceana County going forward included - establishing a housing commission/task force; setting realistic short and long-term goals; consider making policy modifications or offering incen-
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By Sharon Hallack
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According to Hart City Manager Rob Splane, Hallack Construction has moved to the last phase of the city’s infrastructure project. Phase 3 is the most intrusive of the in-process construction work, being that Polk Road was closed to thru traffic starting Monday, Sept. 25, and the anticipation is to have it open again the week of Oct. 23, subject to unforeseen delays.