Housing People Can Afford, In Communities They Love
By: Dennis Hennen – Councilmember, City of Berkley,
October 23, 2025
Berkley’s identity is rooted in its neighborhoods. Tree-lined streets and neighborly sidewalk chats take place right down the street from our walkable downtown. Our residents love that sense of place, but rising prices and few options are making it harder for the average family to find a home here. The MI Home Program offers a way to preserve Berkley’s small-town feel while making room for new neighbors.
Local leaders know their communities best—better than a one-size-fits-all dictates from Lansing. What I value most about this program is its approach: partnership over preemption. It gives us the tools to modernize zoning and expand housing in ways that reflect our community’s priorities.
“
“Housing policy works best when sectors cooperate. The MI Home Program creates ideal conditions for this kind of partnership.”
— Dennis Hennen
In Berkley, we’ve already made progress. We’ve encouraged small-scale infill, updated outdated ordinances, and streamlined permitting. But to keep moving, we need resources. The MI Home Program’s $160 million in annual funding can help turn good policy into measurable results.
Housing policy works best when sectors cooperate. MI Home creates the conditions for true partnership between state and local leaders. It encourages Lansing and Michigan communities to work together through collaboration, without the former telling the latter what to do.
Residents want predictability and fairness. Builders want clear, consistent processes. MI Home’s incentive structure supports both. Together, we can keep building a Berkley that provides housing options for the young and the old, and everyone in between.
Click here for additional information on MI Home. List your support for MI Home here.