The Community Economic Development industry in Michigan showed its strength in Lansing last week by once again coming together for the Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing.  This year's conference -- our 9th one -- drew in approximately 1800 professionals to Lansing between April 30 and May 2. Five conference tracks highlighted various facets of the industry; CEDAM staff, Board, and members were featured presenters during several sessions.

 

As part of the conference, CEDAM presented its two annual awards. We were pleased to honor Toby Budd, CD Manager at the Community Action Agency of Jackson-Lenawee-Hillsdale, with our CDC Staff Member of the Year Award.  We were also joined at the conference by our two CED Advocates of the Year, Senator Ron Jelinek (R-Three Oaks) and Senator Buzz Thomas (D-Detroit). Also honored this year with the prestigious Terrence R. Duvernay Award was CEDAM member Ron Calery, Executive Director of the Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency.

 

This year, the conference culminated in a very special Advocacy Day on May 2 on the Capitol Lawn. Some 1500 people from across the state gathered to demand increased funding for affordable housing. A program featuring Ken Bensen (MI Habitat for Humanity), Mark McDaniel (Great Lakes Capital Fund), and Senator Mark Jansen and Representative Steve Tobocman (and several other speakers) took place on the Capitol Steps. Support for our industry was made abundantly clear to the Legislature by our sheer numbers; many thanks to those who joined us on the lawn. Please continue to watch for updates on CEDAM's continuing activities to obtain funding for Michigan's Housing and Community Development Fund.

A very special thank you to LISC and NEF for sponsoring CEDAM's 9th Annual CEDAM-bration (in association with CDAD). Over 220 guests joined us at the Nuthouse Bar & Grill on Tuesday evening, May 1, following the end of the second day of the Housing Conference. Lots of great food was on hand, and over 40 guests left with prizes (thanks also to all of our funders, sponsors, and business partners for their generous prize donations). The big prize drawing for the evening was for a portable DVD player (provided by NEF); Carrie Roy of Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids was the winner. Carrie, please contact us to arrange receipt of your prize!