Zoning Reform for Housing
MAP at the Forefront of Zoning Reform in Michigan
Housing has been a top priority of the MAP Board since 2020 when they identified it as its policy priority and initiated linkage efforts (learning from other professionals like homebuilders and realtors, government organizations, banks and CDFI’s, developers, and state agencies like MSHDA, MEDC, and LEO) to inform planners, officials, and other stakeholders about the many approaches necessary to increase housing supply and affordability. In the ensuing years, this laser focus resulted in the development and distribution of myriad tools and resources to help planners navigate housing challenges, as well as adoption of legislative policy and increased advocacy efforts with state agency and non-profit partners, and legislators in Lansing.
Programmatic and Educational Solutions
MAP secured funding for and developed major projects like the award winning Zoning Reform Toolkit: 15 Tools to Expand Housing Choice and Affordability; Stories and Studies: A Companion to the Zoning Reform Toolkit; The Michigan Zoning MAP, a tool to address how zoning is impacting housing supply in Michigan (Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties complete, more lining up to be coded). Internally, we devoted three Issues of the Michigan Planner magazine entirely to housing (May/June 2022, May/June 2024, and November/December 2024); organized a Housing Summit in 2022; created and launched two webinar series, the 2023 Housing in Four Parts and the 2025 Pro Housing 7-part Series; and highlighted nearly a dozen national housing experts and breakout sessions at our Annual Planning Michigan Conference. We were serious about providing planners with a wide range of solutions to expand local housing supply and determined to deliver reinforcing messages and knowledge to help municipalities tackle the housing crisis.
Policy and Advocacy Solutions
In addition to programmatic solutions, the MAP board included strong housing elements in its annually adopted 2025 – 2026 Legislative Platform; a Housing Platform supplemented the Legislative platform and provided meaningful context to legislative recommendations for housing. The Board further adopted a Housing Action Agenda, developed by the MAP Government Committee.
Over 5 years, MAP has provided programmatic and policy solutions to planners and officials that can contribute to increased housing supply. MAP continues its commitment to providing the tools and resources to planners and other stakeholders through information, education, and advocacy.
Housing Bills | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
March 17, 2026
Since the nine-bill package of zoning reforms for housing was introduced in the Michigan legislature, MAP has received questions and feedback from members and stakeholder organizations. We appreciate MAP members and partners, who come from a diverse range of backgrounds, practices, and community types, for sharing their thoughts. MAP is grateful to the state legislators who are taking the housing crisis seriously; we know that tackling housing issues is complex.
You can find the House Bills here: 5529, 5530, 5531, 5532, 5581, 5582, 5583, 5584, and 5585
- We have prepared these FAQs to address some of the most common questions we’ve received.
It Takes a Planner to Increase Housing Abundance
Planners are finding innovative ways to make housing more affordable, accessible, and available to Michigan residents through locally led housing reform.
Using expert insights, industry best practices, and data-backed policy ideas, planners are identifying and advancing actionable solutions to help elected leaders address the state’s housing shortage.
Planners are the technical experts on housing reform
MAP has developed new training and tools, with support from the State of Michigan and other partners, to help Michigan municipalities increase housing choice and supply through local planning.
Contact MAP staff to learn about what we’re doing to support policymakers and planners working to close Michigan’s housing gap. See below for more resources:
Work Zone
