Barrett Welcomes Secretary Turner To Mid-Michigan, Highlights Work To Expand Affordable Housing

Lansing, Mich. - Yesterday, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) welcomed U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner to Lansing where they toured a new housing development and met with local leaders and industry stakeholders to discuss efforts to build new, more affordable housing in mid-Michigan.

The officials toured The Residences at Walter French, a complex of modern, low-income apartments developed by the Capital Area Housing Partnership in a former Lansing junior high school building. Following the tour, Barrett and Turner held a press conference. They then led a roundtable at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce with local housing, construction, and business leaders. The officials ended the visit touring Brick Row, a future mixed-use complex in historic buildings in Lansing's Stadium District.

"Housing affordability is one of the biggest challenges working families are facing across mid-Michigan and the country," said Barrett. "The solution isn't more bureaucracy - it's building more homes, expanding opportunities for homeownership, and making sure families can compete in the housing market. I appreciated the opportunity to bring Secretary Turner together with local leaders and community members to discuss practical solutions that will help more people achieve the American Dream of owning a home."

"Lansing is a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can drive meaningful economic growth and community revitalization," said Secretary Turner. "Through the leadership of Congressman Barrett, local officials, and private-sector partners, innovative construction practices and strategic investment through Opportunity Zones are helping increase housing supply and transform historically forgotten communities. I enjoyed visiting Lansing and affordable housing projects where I was able to hear directly from housing stakeholders and local leaders. HUD remains committed to expanding homeownership opportunities and promoting long-term economic prosperity."

"I appreciate Congressman Barrett's invitation to meet with Secretary Turner from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to talk about the various housing needs in Lansing," said Andy Schor, Mayor of Lansing. "From retention of Community Development Block Grant dollars to funding for housing and homeless resources, federal investments are necessary for Lansing, and all cities, to be successful. I also appreciate hearing about and advocating for more resources from the federal government dedicated to Lansing and other communities, and value the opportunity to participate in this important conversation about housing needs for our residents."

"At Capital Area Housing Partnership, we work to improve the lives of the families and individuals in our community by providing safe, stable, and affordable housing," said Meaghan Redd, Interim Executive Director at Capital Area Housing Partnership. "Congressman Barrett's visit shines a much-needed light on the work being done here every day. We are grateful to him for taking the time to see firsthand how a once-derelict building has been transformed into a pillar of hope, a place where our neighbors in Lansing can find the safe and stable housing they deserve."

"Today, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce had the privilege of hosting U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner and Congressman Tom Barrett for a roundtable focused on one of the most pressing challenges facing our region: housing," said Tim Daman, President and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. "The lack of attainable housing stock, combined with regulatory barriers that slow development and limit the deployment of federal resources, is a direct impediment to workforce attraction, business growth, and community prosperity. We were pleased to bring the voice of the Greater Lansing business community to this conversation and to make clear that housing is an economic issue. We look forward to continued collaboration with federal partners to advance policies that remove barriers, spur investment, and expand housing opportunity across our region."

"Brick Row represents what is possible when public policy and private investment work together with a shared vision for community revitalization," said Pat Gillespie, Founder & CEO of Gillespie Group. "Opportunity Zones, championed through HUD under Secretary Turner's leadership, have been a critical component in transforming these long-vacant buildings into new residential and commercial spaces that will bring energy, opportunity, and investment back to this important corridor in Lansing."

"The Lansing Housing Commission was excited to join Secretary Turner today to talk about our joint commitment to affordable housing," said Kim Shirey, Deputy Director of the Lansing Housing Commission. "LHC has already invested $140 million in preservation and new construction of 700+ affordable homes in the past 7 years. Investments of another $64 million on re-hab and new construction to update 200+ more units to Lansing will begin this fall. In addition, we continue to invest in our residents to support financial literacy, food security, transportation, health and after school programs because our mission is to not only support high-quality housing but assist our residents on their journey towards independence."

"It was a great pleasure for us to meet with Congressman Barrett and Secretary Turner at the Chamber of Commerce today," said Paul Gentilozzi, Managing Partner New Vision Lansing. "New Vision Lansing is proud to team up with the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority, the City of Lansing, the Lansing Economic Development Corporation, the Lansing Brownfield Authority and the Michigan Legislature, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Administration to ensure our five new projects are a success. These developments will provide almost 700 new apartments housing 1,000 people in our Central Business District and play an exciting part of the redevelopment of Downtown. This teamwork is moving Lansing forward and making our State Capitol the place to live in 2027."

Also participating in today's roundtable were:

• Andy Schor, Mayor of Lansing
• Matt Hall, Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives
• Tim Daman, President and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Amy Hovey, Michigan State Housing Development Authority
• Kim Shirey, Deputy Director of the Lansing Housing Commission
• Cindy Kosloski, CEO of the Home Builders Association of Greater Lansing
• Ron Kendall, Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan
• Jim Holcomb, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce
• Pat Gillespie, Founder & CEO of Gillespie Group
• Paul Gentilozzi, Managing Partner New Vision Lansing
• Eric Rosekrans, Executive Vice President of Martin Commercial Properties
• Mark Bell, CEO of Harbor Bay Ventures

Congressman Barrett has made expanding access to homeownership and Reviving the American Dream a top priority of his as the second pillar of his Blueprint for a Better America. He is currently leading bills in Congress to increase the housing supply, expand access to home loans, lower barriers for first-time buyers, and stop corporations from buying up single-family houses.

About Barrett's Blueprint for a Better America:

• Restoring Trust in Government: Making Government Serve the People, Not Special Interests
• Reviving the American Dream: Helping Families Afford Homes in Mid-Michigan
• Making Health Care Affordable Again: Lowering Costs for Working Families
• Recalibrating American Foreign Policy: Ending Endless Wars and Promoting Peace Through Strength
• Reforming Campaign Finance: Putting Governing Before Campaigning

• Making America Healthy Again: Prioritizing Public Health Over Corporate Profits