VIDEO: County Commissioner Cavell Discusses New Housing Security Efforts

(Crystal A. Proxmire, April 18, 2022)

Oakland County, MI – The Oakland County Board of Commissioners adopted two resolutions at Wednesday night’s meeting that are aimed at increasing housing security in Oakland County. The first creates the Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund to incentivize attainable housing with funding for developers who agree to include attainable housing units in their plans.

The second, appropriates funding to create a Shelter Capacity Fund to increase the number of available emergency shelter beds for both individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community, and to de-congregate currently available units to improve safety and privacy. In addition, the resolution reinstates Oakland County’s Roofs, Ramps and Repairs program, which provides critical home repairs to residents throughout Oakland County and will give priority to older adults.

Commissioner Charlie Cavell of Ferndale was among those on the Commission working on researching the issues and bringing forth the resolutions, including discussions with housing professionals.

Cavell spoke with Oakland County Times Editor and Publisher Crystal Proxmire in a Zoom interview about the resolutions, including details of the plans, other ideas in the works, and a bit about why these topics are important to the Commissioner.

The housing security measures adopted by the board follow the recommendations from the 2021 Oakland County Blueprint to End Homelessness which was made possible from a $250,000 state grant secured by Michigan State Senator Rosemary Bayer of Keego Harbor.

For more information about the Board of Commissioners, visit www.oakgov.com/boc or call 248-858-0100.  To connect with Commissioner Charlie Cavell email him at cavellc@oakgov.com.  Learn more about Alliance for Housing at https://www.oaklandhomeless.org/.

To read previous stories about Housing, click here.