Consultant to produce Otsego County housing assessment
GAYLORD — The Otsego County Economic Alliance has hired a consultant to work up a housing assessment for Gaylord and the county.
Kelly Murdock of the firm Community Research Services LLC will develop a comprehensive housing needs assessment. The study typically involves the evaluation of specific demographic data, economic characteristics and trends, current housing inventory and characteristics, government policies and incentives, and soliciting the input of area stakeholders and residents.
"I will look closely at census and state and local data, talk with local leaders and conduct field investigations of existing housing opportunities," said Murdock, the founder of Community Research Services. "I will take that information and then formulate recommendations for housing gaps that are identified through the research process."
Murdock intends to talk directly with as many people as he can in coming up with a study of identifying the local housing needs and recommendations to address any shortfalls.
"For example, I may talk with an employer who may not be able to find employees because the employee can't find housing and is unwilling to relocate," Murdock said.
Murdock has done housing assessments for other Northern communities, including Cadillac, Mackinac Island and West Branch.
Murdock will conduct a statistical analysis of local housing trends to "identify areas that can be addressed by the public and private sectors."
One thing that is already clear in Northern Michigan is a lack of affordable housing in Gaylord/Otsego County, along with most other markets in the region.
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"First you need to identify what is the affordable housing need in your community," said Murdock. "It's different for Traverse City compared to Alpena. You have to identify proper price points and what is the ideal unit size."
There are several actions that Gaylord/Otsego County can take to find a solution to the lack of affordable housing, noted Murdock.
"Make it easy for developers to come into a community. Find a way to reduce utility hook-up costs, ease the rezoning process and foster a relationship with local subcontractors," he said.
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One way to resolve housing shortfalls in rural communities, Murdock said, is to develop a partnership between the public and the private sector.
"I have seen instances where a community forms a nonprofit (organization) and partners with an existing group to develop a property," Murdock said.
"Part of it is how strong is the need and how likely is the private sector to take a role in that," Murdock added. "In a lot of communities in Northern Michigan, there isn't enough activity to get the job done. So I will often recommend a public/private partnership."
Murdock hopes to complete the housing assessment by the end of the month.
— Contact reporter Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Consultant to produce Otsego County housing assessment
