Join us for Housing Lake Workshop 3: Envisioning Growth Together – an opportunity to explore Lake County's housing development possibilities and shape our collective path forward.

We'll examine potential growth scenarios and their real-world implications, weighing opportunities against different housing factors and challenges. This session focuses on honest dialogue about development trade-offs and the obstacles that must be navigated to achieve our housing goals.

In virtual breakout groups, we will delve into specific development scenarios, allowing you to analyze the pros and cons while sharing your vision for the County's future. These intimate discussions foster authentic conversation and ensure every voice contributes to our understanding.

What we'll explore:

• Various growth and development pathways

• Allocation of housing units by Lake County subregion

• Key obstacles and breakthrough opportunities

• Community trade-offs and priority setting

• Stakeholder perspectives on sustainable development

In future workshops, these insights will directly inform the vision for the future and lay the foundation for realistic, community-supported housing strategies in the next phase of work.

Join us for Workshop 2: Understanding Our Housing Landscape – an interactive deep dive into Lake County's housing data and community needs.

We'll examine critical housing metrics that tell the story of our community, exploring local housing needs across the spectrum – from entry-level options for young adults launching their careers to downsizing opportunities for established residents seeking new chapters.

Workshop Agenda:

• Gather National Context from Leah DuMouchel, Director of Programs and Communications for the Michigan Association of Planning. She'll engage participants on MSHDA toolkit implementation and outcomes, policy changes that increased housing options in Michigan, and communication strategies for overcoming community opposition.

• Dive Deep into Lake County Data - We'll review demographic trends, housing unit distribution, affordability metrics using Area Median Income (AMI), and cost burden analysis across different income levels and subareas.

• We'll analyze Four Critical Housing Factors through breakout sessions:

  • Mobility & Growth Patterns - How population and workforce movement impact housing demand

  • New Construction Trends - Analysis of building permits, development activity, and whether new housing matches community needs

  • Demographic Shifts & Housing Needs - Age cohort changes, income variations, and identifying housing gaps for different populations

  • Affordability Drivers - Construction costs, interest rates, wage trends, and property tax impacts

What to Expect:

• Learn from Michigan's housing success stories via keynote speaker

• Review Lake County housing data and market trends

• Join breakout discussions on key housing factors

• Share your expertise in small group analysis

• Reflect on key insights that will guide your future housing work

These insights will build the foundation for vision-building and strategy development in your next phase of creating actionable housing strategies for Lake County.

Join us for Workshop 1: Building Our Shared Vision – the first in our series of collaborative workshops designed to shape Lake County's housing future.

Together, we'll review existing county and local housing plans, identifying the shared values and proven strategies that unite our community. This interactive session will center on your vision for Lake County's housing landscape over the next decade.

What to expect:

• Overview of current housing plans and initiatives

• Small group discussions on community hopes and aspirations

• Identification of common ground and shared priorities

• Strategic pathway development for task force exploration

Your insights will directly inform our ongoing work and help establish priorities for future workshops. Come ready to envision possibilities, share your expertise, and collaborate on actionable solutions.

This is your opportunity to help chart the course for housing in Lake County.

Materials and refreshments provided.

You are cordially invited to participate in "A Conversation on Housing in Lake County" – our inaugural meeting designed to launch meaningful dialogue around housing challenges and opportunities in Lake County.

This foundational gathering will bring together diverse voices to share lived experiences, professional expertise, and innovative perspectives on housing solutions. We'll establish the groundwork for our upcoming task force initiatives, workshops, and Housing Summit.

Hear from experts as we start the conversation on housing, including challenges and successsful solutions.

• Jacob Rich (IHDA) will present baseline data and findings from their forthcoming regional housing report

• Olivia Parry (Dane County) will share lessons learned from successful regional housing initiatives

• Kevin Considine (Lake County Partners) will discuss how housing challenges affect talent recruitment and workforce stability

• Chris Hoff (Lake County Health Department) will explore housing as a key determinant of overall community health and wellness

• Dr. Michael Karner (Regional Superintendent) will address how housing instability impacts students, families, and school staff

Join us as we take the first step toward collaborative action on one of our community's most pressing issues. Together, we can create lasting change.

Your voice matters. Your participation makes a difference.

Light refreshments will be provided. This event is invitation-only.