This basement is under construction by the wildflower Development Group at the new Maple Ridge subdivision in the city of Negaunee. (Photo courtesy of the city of Negaunee)

MARQUETTE — The Lake Superior Community Partnership-led effort to facilitate the construction or rehabilitation of hundreds of housing units in Marquette County continues, although much of the work is behind the scenes.

In 2024, the Housing Now initiative was formed by the partnership’s foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing economic development and workforce efforts. In addition to hosting the initiative, the LSCP Foundation has set up a fund dedicated to supporting the initiative’s work.

“We need all kinds of housing, not just one specific type,” said Nate Heffron, Negaunee City Manager and member of the Housing Now oversight board. “It’s what everyone’s talking about, housing, housing, housing.”

While many local developers with money to spend generally build higher-end housing — Heffron noted “That’s where the money is. There is a market for that. They’re not running a charity.” — the Housing Now focus is on something called workforce housing. A recent target market analysis found that Marquette County’s market can support up to 980 newly built units and 1,445 rehabilitated units annually for the next five years. Much of the demand is found in the 80%-120% area median income range.

One key challenge, said Heffron, is determining what specific type of housing should be built and where.

“We know we need housing but there is never going to be a perfect model,” he said.

While the initiative will support the development of housing of all types and income levels, workforce housing will be a major focus due to the extra tools and collaboration often required to develop units in that price range, partnership officials said. The full target market analysis and strategic framework can be found online at marquette.org/housing. 

“Over the past several years, the LSCP has been home to a group of dedicated public sector staff and officials who have worked to coordinate efforts and address the housing shortage,” LSCP CEO Christopher Germain said for a previous Mining Journal story. “Their work was pivotal in funding the target market analysis last year, among other tasks. The TMA has given us quantifiable goals for which to aim for. Housing Now will pick up the work happening under various partners and coordinate it under a single banner while bringing more private-sector partners into these efforts. The LSCP values its ability to bridge commonalities between the private and public sectors to advance shared interests. Housing is an issue impacting communities and businesses alike and will take all of us working together to address it.”