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.