Michigan Business Beat | Brad Ward, Michigan Realtors Association, Housing Plan & Economic Growth

Michigan Business Beat | Brad Ward, Michigan Realtors Association, Housing Plan & Economic Growth

From Michigan Business Network by Michigan Business Network

May 6, 2026 · 7 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the Housing Readiness Plan in Michigan and its implications for economic growth and housing affordability.

Chris Holman welcomes Brad Ward, Vice President of Public Policy and Legal Affairs at Michigan Realtors, Lansing, MI. Michigan’s housing shortage is increasingly seen as a business issue, not just a housing issue. How is the Housing Readiness Plan tied to economic growth and workforce attraction? Some supporters say outdated zoning and permitting rules are driving up costs and slowing development. What practical changes in this plan could make the biggest difference for housing supply and affordability? Business groups, Realtors, and homebuilders are backing this package. What does that unusually broad coalition say about the urgency of the housing challenge in Michigan? For employers struggling to attract or retain talent, how does housing availability and affordability affect competitiveness, and how could this plan help? There is often tension between statewide reform and local control. How does the Housing Readiness Plan balance protecting property rights and local input while still reducing barriers to development? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork…

People in this episode

Host: Chris Holman

Guest: Brad Ward

Topics covered

  • housing shortage
  • economic growth
  • workforce attraction
  • zoning and permitting
  • housing affordability
  • local control

Keywords

  • housing shortage
  • economic growth
  • Michigan Realtors
  • affordability
  • zoning
  • workforce attraction
  • development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Michigan Realtors Association

Places: Michigan, Lansing, MI

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