Walker officials weigh using Brownfield TIF to spur mixed‑income housing

At the City of Walker commission meeting on June 23, Kent County representatives outlined how Michigan's Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Act can be used to support housing through tax-increment financing and commissioners agreed to form an ad hoc committee to propose local priorities and procedures for approving housing TIF plans.

Kent County staff described the substantive changes in state law that expand the definition of a brownfield to include any property on which housing activities occur, explained eligible uses under housing TIF and recommended local policy settings Walker should consider before approving plans. "A couple years ago, the state of Michigan kind of flipped the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Act on its head," said Josh, a Kent County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority representative. He urged local officials to set clear priorities so developers know what the city will support.

The county presentation emphasized five practical points commissioners cited during discussion: (1) who must approve a plan locally and in what order, (2) which expenses are eligible for reimbursement, (3) the income bands likely to be feasible for housing TIF, (4) typical affordability periods, and (5) default limits on capture periods that the county applies.

On eligible uses, Kent County staff said housing TIF can reimburse a developer for many housing-related costs, including…