Macomb accepts MSHDA grant, hires Michigan planners to map zoning best practices for housing

Macomb County’s Health and Community Services department told commissioners it will use a $25,000 action grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to help fund a zoning‑best‑practices project led by the Michigan Association of Planning.

Director Andrew (title given in committee as “director” of Health and Community Services) explained the grant and the linked contract, saying the work will compare local zoning ordinances across the county and the state, consolidate zoning information using a zoning atlas platform, and produce guidance municipalities can use to encourage housing development.

The contract amount shown in committee paperwork is $47,928 (agenda text included additional cents in the transcript). The committee was told $25,000 of that amount will be covered by the MSHDA action grant and the remainder by the county planning department, which will participate in the project because the results will support planning and economic development work.

Commissioners asked procedural and timing questions. Director Andrew said a separate housing needs assessment report will be finalized within weeks and that the county will host a housing summit Nov. 17 at Macomb Community College–South Campus to present results. Commissioner Howard asked if municipalities will be charged for the service; Andrew said they will not: “We are not planning to charge the local municipalities.”

Commissioners approved the grant and the contract together; the committee voted 13–0 to forward the items to the full board.