By Saginaw Mayor Brenda Moore, Guest Columnist
The MI Home Program, recently proposed by the Michigan Municipal League, offers a collaborative path to address Michigan’s housing crisis by investing $160 million annually for five years to create and rehabilitate 10,000 attainable homes. This initiative gives local governments the resources to build and the flexibility to innovate. It understands that while all Michigan communities face a housing shortage, the solutions must reflect each individual community’s unique identity and values—and it is grounded in a simple, powerful idea: “Partnership Over Preemption.”
As president of the Michigan Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (MBC-LEO) and mayor of Saginaw, I am proud to share that MBC-LEO stands united in support of the MI Home Program and its guiding principle. We believe this philosophy will strengthen local leadership, empower collaboration, and—by developing attainable housing—build needed pathways to equity.
MBC-LEO was founded to ensure that Black municipal officials across Michigan have a platform and a voice in shaping policies that reflect the needs of our residents. Our mission is rooted in equity and inclusion: to advocate for communities that have historically been overlooked, and to champion opportunities where they are most needed.
Housing sits firmly at the intersection of those two missions. Housing is more than merely having a roof over one’s head; it is the foundation of public health, education, workforce participation, and community stability.
Too often, state and federal mandates have dictated what local governments must do, leaving little room for context or creativity. The MI Home Program takes a different approach. It builds on collaboration, offering tools and incentives that allow local governments and developers to work together.
That’s what “partnership over preemption” looks like in action. It recognizes that progress flows from trust; that Lansing will amplify, not override, local innovation. For communities of color, that trust is especially meaningful. It tells us that state leaders are listening—and they see the potential in empowering local voices, rather than silencing them.
With preemption, we risk repeating old mistakes. Through partnership, we can ensure that every Michigan family—regardless of race, income, or ZIP code—has a place to live. The choice is clear. Preemption builds barriers. Partnership builds homes.
The members of MBC-LEO are committed to working with the Michigan Municipal League, the Legislature, and the Administration to see this program enacted and fully funded. Together, we can transform the vision of housing equity into reality, one community at a time.
Brenda F. Moore is the mayor of Saginaw and president of the Michigan Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (MBC-LEO).
