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Showcasing the DNR
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| The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to Michigan.gov/DNR. |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 4, 2022 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Announces Launch of First-Ever Statewide Housing Plan Five-year initiative aims to provide affordable and accessible housing, give state competitive edge in talent attraction, retention
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s first-ever Statewide Housing Plan (SHP), a five-year blueprint charting priorities, goals and strategies to address the intricate and multifaceted challenges impacting housing equity, was launched to a crowd of housing industry leaders at the Building Michigan Communities Conference today.
“Every family deserves a safe, affordable place to call home so they have a strong foundation to pursue their potential, but too many Michiganders don’t have access to that in their communities right now,” said Governor Whitmer. “This comprehensive statewide plan tackles persistent past and present housing challenges head-on. If we get it done, we can help those in need of homes get the dignity they deserve and ensure Michigan maintains a competitive edge in attracting and retaining talent as we grow our economy.”
Governor Whitmer, who earlier this year set an ambitious goal to create or preserve 75,000 housing units across Michigan, encouraged communities, state agencies, local governments, developers, nonprofits, and philanthropic organizations represented in the crowd, to adopt and implement the plan. Hers is one of five statewide housing targets that represent what can be achieved as a result of SHP activities. Other targets include:
The plan also outlines eight priority areas, each with its own set of goals, strategies and outcome measures to guide action planning in regions across the state, as well as 37 goals and 134 strategies to create more robust pathways to safe, quality, affordable housing for all Michiganders. The need for a SHP arises from the numerous intertwined social and geographic inequities impacting housing accessibility and affordability. For instance, 52% of the state’s homeless population are Black, despite making up only 14% of the overall population. The cost of housing has also risen dramatically over the last several years. Between January 2013 and October 2021, the average sale price for a home in Michigan increased 84%. Meanwhile, the average number of building permits being awarded for new housing construction is less than half that of pre-Great Recession levels.
“Creating more affordable housing is a top priority of the SHP, but we also need to understand and untangle long-standing patterns of racial discrimination and segregation that has impacted housing accessibility by emphasizing equity and racial justice in this plan,” said Tiffany King, MSHDA Equity and Inclusion Officer. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to affordable housing, and we’ll need the insights, input, and efforts of people from all walks of life if we are to break down these historical barriers and craft real solutions that enable greater access to affordable housing.”
Led by MSHDA, over 7,000 residents and other participants contributed to the creation of the SHP. Moving forward, a new statewide housing partnership and regional groups will work alongside Michigan’s Campaign to End Homelessness (MCTEH) to meet the goals of the plan. A public dashboard will also be launched to report on statewide and regional outcomes.
To learn more visit the Statewide Housing Plan (michigan.gov) page on MSHDA’s website. |
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County has earned a AAA bond rating on the eve of the University of Michigan releasing its three-year economic forecast for the county. Moody’s Ratings Services and Standard & Poor’s awarded their highest credit ratings to the county for its $5.43 million Oakland County Oakland Township Water Supply System Improvements Bonds, Series 2022.
“The ratings agencies reaffirmed our budgeting practices and how we’ve managed our economy through challenging times,” County Executive Dave Coulter said. “We are in all ways, moving the county forward.”
The University of Michigan will detail how Oakland County’s economy is performing when it delivers the three-year economic outlook Thursday.
Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg said Oakland County remains fiscally strong.
“The ongoing collaboration with County Executive Coulter and Commissioner Nash and our unwavering commitment to safeguard taxpayer dollars and revive our economy, enables us to retain our exemplary bond rating and improve our water supply system,” Wittenberg said. “The Treasurer’s Office’s efforts to optimize our investment yields, help Oakland County residents and business owners retain their properties, and solid delinquent tax collections contributed to the county’s strong cash position and liquidity.”
The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s office operates and maintains Oakland Township’s seven Type 1 water systems. The bonds will finance the construction of a new ground water storage tank facility and the required pumps, generators, control systems, and site improvements to operate the systems. When construction is complete, Oakland Township will meet the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s requirements for water systems with more than 150 living units.
“My office is proud to be a part of this project and to have the ability to reduce the rates for Oakland Township residents over time,” Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash said. “In collaboration with the township, we are confident this solution will allow for additional capacity while helping us protect the environment regionally during heavy rains.”
The Oakland County Oakland Township Water Supply System Improvements Bonds, Series 2022 will bond for 30 years to reduce the impact of the annual rate increases to the township’s 780 water customers. The bonds go on sale on May 11.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2022
Contact: [email protected]
Consumer Hotline: 833-ASK-DIFS
Gov. Whitmer Announces $2.2 Billion in Auto Insurance Refunds Have Been Issued to Michiganders
Auto insurers have one week to issue remaining refunds to eligible Michiganders
LANSING, Mich. — With one week until the deadline, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today that $400 auto refund checks have been sent to nearly three-quarters of eligible Michiganders from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) catastrophic fund surplus. Data gathered by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) shows that Michigan’s auto insurance companies have distributed approximately $2.2 billion in total, with more than $1.2 billion being sent out in just the last two weeks. Auto insurers have until May 9 to issue the remaining checks or deposits to eligible drivers.
“Thanks to the bipartisan auto insurance reform I signed, nearly $2.2 billion has been put back in people’s pockets and another $800 million is yet to come,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Auto insurers have one more week to issue any remaining refunds to eligible drivers, so if you have not yet received your money, be sure to keep an eye on your mailbox or bank account. These refunds will help families pay the bills and put food on the table as we keep growing our economy, creating more good-paying jobs, and lowering costs.”
“Insurers have one more week to go until the May 9 deadline and we are keeping a close eye on the process,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “If you are eligible for a refund and do not receive it by May 9, be sure to contact your insurance company to ensure it has been issued. If you cannot reach a resolution with your insurance company, or if your insurer offers your refund through something other than a paper check or ACH deposit, call DIFS at 833-ASK-DIFS Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for assistance, or visit Michigan.gov/MCCArefund for more information.”
As a result of the cost controls, consumer protections, and other savings put into place by the state’s new bipartisan auto insurance law, the MCCA catastrophic fund had a $5 billion surplus as of June 2021. In November 2021, Governor Whitmer called on the MCCA to return the maximum amount of surplus funds back to Michigan drivers while ensuring the viability of the fund. After completing a data verification process, the MCCA transferred $3 billion to the Michigan insurers responsible for issuing refunds to eligible drivers, while retaining $2 billion of the surplus to ensure continuity of care for accident survivors. This transfer, initiated on March 9, triggered the 60-day deadline imposed by DIFS for insurers to issue refunds to eligible Michiganders.
To be eligible for a refund, Michiganders must have had a car, motorcycle, or RV that was insured to drive legally on Michigan roads as of 11:59 p.m. Oct. 31, 2021. The refunds are $400 per vehicle or $80 per historic vehicle and must be sent in the form of a paper check or an ACH deposit no later than May 9, 2022. Eligible drivers do not need to do anything to receive their refund, but they may wish to verify their address or banking information with their insurance company to prevent delays.
Eligible drivers who do not receive their refunds by the deadline should contact their auto insurer or agent. For questions or concerns that cannot be resolved directly by an auto insurer, contact DIFS by calling Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 833-ASK-DIFS (833-275-3437) or by emailing [email protected]. More information is available at Michigan.gov/MCCArefund.
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News Digest – Week of May 2, 2022
When you need to get away from it all, there are few better places than on the water! |
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Across Michigan, the DNR partners with businesses and outside organizations to enrich visitor experiences at state parks. Concessions contracts cover numerous features, including park stores; kayak, bike and other rentals; food and water parks.
Doug Rich, DNR western U.P. Parks and Recreation Division district supervisor, said the relationship with the college has been beneficial, acknowledging the college’s contributions to stabilizing operations at the ski hill.
The DNR began a second bidding process in alignment with Michigan law and the DNR’s commercial use policy.
At a minimum, the prospective contractors were also expected to provide firewood sales and sea kayak and bicycle rentals.
Want to see more pictures like this, taken by Michigan state parks photo ambassador 
Whether it’s a walk through your neighborhood or a hike in the wilderness, or something in between, getting outside can help lower stress and improve attention, mood and connection to the earth and each other. Nature comes in all shapes and forms, and no matter how you engage with it, nature can have incredible benefits for our brains.
They’re found in every county in our state, but you still might be tempted to go full cloak-and-dagger or blindfold your friends before heading out to your favorite spot – it’s that time of year, the annual Michigan treasure hunt that is morel month!
Learn the basics about morel mushrooms from the DNR at 
While most people run away from a blazing wildfire, highly trained DNR wildland firefighters are ready to head toward danger to protect people, property and nature – and they have the knowledge and tools to do the job right.
DNR firefighters also work to improve wildlife habitat with carefully planned prescribed burns, share fire prevention tips with communities, prevent future fires by creating fire breaks (areas around vulnerable communities cleared of vegetation and combustible material to stop the spread of wildfire) and remove hazardous trees from woodland roads.
If you’re looking for something new offering a lot of learning and always a little fun, give a listen to the DNR’s “Wildtalk” podcast, released on the first of each month.
A quiet spot in your backyard, a thicket or a patch of tall grass – these all are places where fawns have been found. If you do come across a fawn this spring, don’t touch it. There’s a very good chance it is right where it’s supposed to be.