2026 Leelanau Housing Collaborative Survey
Help shape the future of needed housing in Leelanau County.
This short survey is sponsored by the Leelanau County Housing Collaborative and its Partners—Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation, Sleeping Bear Gateways Council, Aspire North Realtors, Peninsula Housing, Homestretch, Housing North, Home Sweet Home, Leelanau Christian Neighbors, League of Women Voters Leelanau County, Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, New Community Vision, Habitat for Humanity.
Your answers will help local leaders understand what the community supports when it comes to attainable, year-round housing for the people who live and work here.
In this survey, attainable housing means housing — for sale or for rent — priced so that people earning typical local wages can afford to live in the community where they work.
Responses are anonymous. You can skip any question. It takes about 5 minutes.
complete the survey
about the Collaborative
The Leelanau County Housing Collaborative, an effort of the Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation, and its partner organizations are inviting residents, workers, employers, and community members to participate in the Leelanau County Attainable Housing Survey. The survey is designed to gather public input on housing needs and community priorities to help inform future housing solutions across the county.
Housing affordability continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing Leelanau County. The Michigan’s Senate Fiscal Agency has shown Leelanau County to be the most unaffordable county in the state for housing since at least 2010.
The survey seeks to better understand community perspectives on attainable, year-round housing and identify the types of housing options residents believe are needed.
For the purposes of the survey, attainable housing means housing, whether for sale or for rent, that is priced so people earning typical local wages can afford to live in the community where they work.
"Community input is critical as we work to address housing challenges in Leelanau County," said Jim Bardenhagen, President of Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation. "This survey will help local leaders better understand what residents support when it comes to creating housing opportunities that allow people who live and work here to remain part of our communities."
The short survey is open to anyone with a connection to Leelanau County. Responses will help guide local discussions and future efforts to expand attainable housing options throughout the county.
Community members can participate in several ways:
Complete the survey online at: Here
Pick up a paper copy at local library branches in:
Northport
Suttons Bay
Leland
Empire
Paper copies will also be available at Leelanau County Senior Services office at the Government Center, at Senior luncheons hosted at the Lions Club, Maple City on Thursdays at noon and the Friendship Center, Suttons Bay on Fridays at noon.
Hard copies can be returned to a “ballot box” at each pick-up location or mailed to the Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation PO Box 1063, Leland MI 49654.
The survey will remain open until September 15, 2026.
For more information about the survey or the Leelanau County Housing Collaborative, contact Jamie Jewel, Admin for the Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation at 231-835-0104 or jamie@jamiejewell.com.
About the Leelanau County Housing Collaborative
The Leelanau County Housing Collaborative is a coalition of local organizations, community leaders, and stakeholders working together to advance housing solutions that support a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable Leelanau County. Through education, collaboration, and community engagement, the Collaborative seeks to increase housing opportunities for people who live or work in the region.
Organizations involved in the Collaborative include:
Aspire North Realtors
Habitat for Humanity
HomeStretch
Home Sweet Home
Housing North
League of Women Voters Leelanau County
Leelanau Christian Neighbors
Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation
New Community Vision
Peninsula Housing
Sleeping Bear Gateway Council