The Community Foundation and local partners funded a county-wide housing needs assessment in 2023, learning that more than 25% of Mason County residents find themselves in cost-burdened housing (paying more than 30% of their income on housing). More than 38% of current employees in Mason County do not live here and must commute into the county, many due to lack of available housing. Lack of housing supply noted in the report affects residents of almost all income levels and age ranges, and negatively affects the local economy. The assessment showed that Mason County needs 2,430 additional housing units across the housing continuum over the next five years to adequately address residents’ housing needs.

The housing continuum demonstrates the range of housing types individuals may need during their lifetimes. A healthy housing market has options for every stage, and individuals can move in any direction at any point in their lives. From single family homes and apartments buildings, to “missing middle” options such as duplexes, row houses, townhomes and quads, a healthy housing market matches local demographics and residents’ needs. Only one third of Mason County households have children, while two thirds have one or two adults. Additionally, our senior population is larger than that of most counties in West Michigan, so having multiple housing options is warranted.

In October 2023, the Mason County Housing Alliance was formed by organizations that funded the housing needs assessment. The Alliance has worked closely with a community development consultant to start addressing the housing crisis. We are working on a strategic plan to create community engagement, drive robust, balanced, and diverse housing production and preservation, and provide greater access to homeownership.

Housing study funding partners:

• Community Foundation for Mason County
• Chamber Alliance of Mason County
• County of Mason
• City of Ludington
• City of Scottville
• Home Team Housing

KickStart to Career (K2C) is a children’s savings program brought to you by the Community Foundation for Mason County, Mason County schools (public, private, and charter), and local financial institutions. The K2C program provides every kindergarten student with a special account that will continue to grow over a child’s K-12 school years. These accounts will help children start saving money for their future career training or college expenses.

Currently, more than 1,700 students in kindergarten through 5th grade in Mason County have a child’s savings account, building hope and opportunity for a bright future!

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The Leadership Learning Lab was born out of the collaboration of 10 northern Michigan community foundations that recognized they could do more together than separately, and funders that wanted to invest in a new way of empowering communities. Facilitated by Rotary Charities of Traverse City and funded by the Frey Foundation and the local community foundations, the Lab seeks to connect and empower nonprofit executive directors and emerging leaders and give them the skills to strengthen the organizations and communities they serve. The Community Foundation for Mason County is one of the Lab’s philanthropic partners.

The LLL combines monthly learning sessions, individual reflection, small group learning pods, and ongoing support. Participants have the opportunity to deepen relationships with leaders in their community and across northern Lower Michigan.

To learn more about the program and meet this year’s cohort, click here.

The Community Foundation, along with many community partners, engaged Pros Consulting firm to conduct a multigenerational feasibility study to seek input to measure community interest in exploring the potential for a new multigenerational community center for people of all ages to enjoy social, cultural, recreational, fitness, and educational activities.