Summary
The Leelanau Township Board received a presentation from HomeStretch, a regional nonprofit affordable housing developer serving the Grand Traverse area since 1996, led by Executive Director Jonathan Stimson. The presentation outlined HomeStretch's history, completed and current projects, and included a site plan for a proposed multi-family development near the Leelanau Township Cemetery in Northport, Section 34. No votes or formal board decisions are recorded in this document.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
HomeStretch is a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) governed by a 14-member board, operating across a 5-county region (Antrim, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, and Leelanau). It serves residents earning 30–120% of Area Median Income through rental and homeownership programs, acting as general contractor to ensure 5-Star energy efficiency. Key staff include Executive Director Jonathan Stimson, Accounting Manager Christine Renault, Property Manager Leah Pillsbury, Construction Accounting Specialist Nancy McInnis, and Construction Manager Carl Jagoditsh.
Since 1996, HomeStretch has completed 134 housing units at a total investment of $21,083,251, combining public (MSHDA) and private funding. Notable past projects include Keystone Village (24 rental units, $3,927,000, 2010) and Vineyard View Apartments (8 rental units, $1,840,000, 2023).
Current projects (2022–present) total a $25.05 million pipeline covering 100 multifamily units and 6 for-sale units, including Carver Apartments in Traverse City (2.12M, 10 units, under construction), Lake and Main Apartments in Frankfort (2.84M, 12 units, under construction), and Lot O in Traverse City (15M, 60-unit mass timber development).
A proposed HomeStretch multi-family project near the Leelanau Township Cemetery in Northport (Section 34) was presented via site plan, dated May 21, 2025, prepared by Mansfield Land Use Consultants.
Infrastructure Projects
The Lake and Main Apartments project in Frankfort was cited as an example of HomeStretch's approach: the .718-acre site was acquired from the city for $1.00 via Warranty Deed, zoned for Civic Use permitting multifamily development, and received a 0% Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) — the first such approval in Michigan. The project involved demolition aided by a Brownfield Grant, soil remediation, and use of municipal water and sewer service for its 12-unit site plan.
Financial Summary
HomeStretch's completed project total stands at $21,083,251 across 134 units. Current pipeline funding totals $25.05 million. Estimated hard construction costs for townhome-style units are $196,000 per unit including site costs, or $168,600 per unit for structure only. The Fern Street Condos project ($435K) and Leelanau County scattered-site single-family homes ($1.3M) have received grant reservations.
Action Items
No specific board-assigned tasks or deadlines are stated in the document. The proposed Northport site plan near the Leelanau Township Cemetery appears to be under review, though no formal township action or timeline is documented.