Happy 2024! And, congrats to all you families of four making $100K ... You will soon be able move into a new, government-subsidized three-bedroom apartment on Emmet Street in Petoskey.
You mean, that's not one of your New Year's resolutions? What are we missing?
With the financial help of generous, non-elected government bureaucrats, we were able to witness the ground-breaking ceremony at The Lofts at Lumber Square, a 60-unit apartment 'project,' promising affordable rental units to middle-income folks for the next fifty years. Nearly half (43%) of the funding for this 'project' comes via the Michigan Strategic Fund, an arm of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which never represents the best interests of the everyday taxpayer.
One would think that having that everyday taxpayer pay $7.2 million of the $16.6 million price tag would result in more affordable rents, but the $1150, 1350 and 1550 per month for 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments sound like the same rents so many are complaining about now.
But look at the positives the 'project' brings: More Petoskey public school students (ka-ching!), more transit advocates, more WOKE voters, more fast food. What could go wrong?
I was a little excited to read a clip of this story in an email newsletter from PBS, so I immediately googled the project to learn more. Then the usual disappointment & depression set in when I read the rental prices above. I wish I could retire, but I can't afford to do so. I wish I could live independently instead of needing a roommate, but in this resort town which caters to the "fudgies" but doesn't seem to care about its yearlong residents, I cannot afford to do so. It
makes me want to move very badly. But moving brings up the same problem since moving is expensive. Thus, I feel trapped. And very sad.
Hum, I thought you Repubs were all about Supply Sidd economics? So wouldn’t increasing the supply of housing, by definition, decrease the cost of housing?
Regarding the MEDC: They are actually very careful and very strategic with our tax funds! Here‘s just one example where the town of Cadillac was saved from ruin.
One of the boat manufacturers in Cadillac, which was 90% of the economy of Cadillac, was bought by a guy who owned 2 more boat brands located in Minnesota. He got in financial trouble and asked Gov Granholm for several million dollars. MEDC, contrary to your above stated opinion, does not throw money around. They, specifically my Petoskey born and raised brother Paul Brown, judged that the…
Enriching the rich, stealing from the taxpayers and increasing the national debt. We live in a corrupt world that always brings forth thorns. It is a never ending struggle until Christ makes it right. In the meantime, He told us to occupy. (Take up residence and take control of) Never give up.
Apparently "affordable housing" is the hot public policy issue in Emmet County in recent times. As always, one must be critical of a governmental solution before throwing away taxpayers' hard-earned money. Perhaps reducing burdensome regulations for developers and builders might provide more affordable housing than using tax dollars of hard-working citizens to subsidize housing for less hardworking citizens.