Since 2002, the Leelanau County Planning and Community Development Office has completed twenty five family homes. The homes are located in the New Neighborhood in the Village of Empire ( see photo above), Cedar, Lake Leelanau, Maple City, Northport and Suttons Bay. The sale price of the homes ranged from $ 78,000.00 to $ 133,000.00 based on size and location.   

To be eligible to buy a home, families must meet certain income criteria and be able to obtain their own financing with a mortgage from a bank or mortgage company.  A minimum of 1% of the sale price in homebuyer cash is required. Homebuyers must be willing to participate in the Community Land Trust program, applicable for some homes.  (CLT- see link below for Homestretch Inc.)

The Planning & Community Development office works with loan programs through Rural Development and MSHDA to coordinate home improvement loans for county homeowners. Homeowner's must meet income guidelines and the homes must be the primary residence of the applicants. The information provided on the application is verified through credit reports, employment checks and bank verifications. All information is kept confidential. Interest rates range from 0% to 3% based on household income and program guidelines. 

The County also works with two other loan programs, MSHDA and Rural Development.   The qualifications and criteria varys by program but the county staff can coordinate and assist homeowners in the loan application and  rehab construction process.  Information on each loan program is available at the office. 

Rehabilitation work can include septic systems, wells, windows & doors, siding, roofing, electrical & plumbing, etc.  Need work done on your home?  Print out the application listed above for a Home Improvement Loan, and return to the Planning & Community Development office.