Michigan's First Community Land Trust in Kalamazoo County Brings Hope to Middle-Class Families
PORTAGE, Mich. — The American Dream of homeownership is becoming increasingly elusive for middle-class families across Michigan, but one city in Kalamazoo County is taking bold steps to make it a reality.
The city of Portage has launched Stanwood Crossings, a groundbreaking development that uses a community land trust model — the first of its kind in Kalamazoo County and one of only a handful in the entire state.
"This community land-trust concept that we're putting to work here is the first one in Kalamazoo County," said Patrick McGinnis, city manager of Portage. "There's only a handful of them in Michigan, so we hope to be able to grow this concept to deliver more affordable housing throughout the state of Michigan."
How Community Land Trusts Work
Unlike traditional housing developments, community land trusts separate ownership of the home from ownership of the land. Residents own their homes but lease the land from the trust, which keeps property values affordable for future buyers.
The model was born from the Great Recession of 2008, when the housing market collapsed and thousands of families lost everything.
"All of the builders got out," said Dan Jaqua, owner of Jaqua Realtors based in Kalamazoo. "When my realtor described what the program was, I thought we should be doing this all over the place."
Stanwood Crossings Underway
Forty-two affordable new homes are currently being built at Stanwood Crossings. The city of Portage purchased the land using American Rescue Plan Funds from the federal government, also known as ARPA money.
The city is also utilizing Tax Increment Financing — a state development tool that allows Portage to use future tax revenue generated by the project to fund the development costs.
A New Path Forward
Drew Forsyth, a local resident, is among those who discovered the Stanwood Crossings development through his realtor.
"I always considered my family to be middle-class. And since I've grown up, I feel like I've witnessed the dissolution of the middle-class to a large degree," said Forsyth. "When my realtor described what the program was, I thought we should be doing this all over the place."
Why This Matters
The current housing crisis dates back nearly two decades to the 2008 housing market collapse. Rising home prices, higher interest rates, and economic uncertainty have made homeownership increasingly difficult for working families.
By implementing a community land trust model, Portage is creating a sustainable solution that ensures affordable housing remains available for future generations.
The project represents more than just bricks and mortar — it's a commitment to preserving the American Dream for families who have been priced out of traditional homeownership.
As construction continues at Stanwood Crossings, Portage is proving that innovative solutions can address one of the most pressing challenges facing modern communities.
