Rural Real Estate Development Boot Camp

Sep 11

CEDAM’s Real Estate Development Boot Camp is a multi-part training program designed to give you the tools needed to develop affordable housing in your community. From rising construction costs to new funding sources, our training curriculum is updated each year to provide context around the current real estate development landscape in Michigan. CEDAM is brining in experienced community members, such as the Otsego Housing Task Force.

The Rural Real Estate Development Boot Camp will take place in Gaylord, Michigan. Over five days, participants will engage in classroom-style learning, peer exchange, and applied project work designed to strengthen their ability to advance affordable housing and community development projects.

Hosting the training in Michigan's northern, self-styled Alpine Village connects participants with local developers, municipal leaders, and agency partners actively working on housing and neighborhood revitalization efforts.

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Rural Real Estate Development Boot Camp

CEDAM’s annual Rural Real Estate Development Boot Camp will take place in Gaylord, Michigan. Over five days, participants will engage in classroom-style learning, peer exchange, and applied project work designed to strengthen their ability to advance affordable housing and community development projects.

NE Regional Housing Summit 2026

The Northeast Michigan Housing Alliance will host its first Regional Housing Summit.

2024 Community Housing Survey

Almost 1,000 responses were collected in 2024 from community members about housing needs. And 97% of all respondents said that we need more housing!

Housing Task Force Steward Zoning Change

In the Summer of 2025 Otsego County approved a change allowing 560 Square Foot homes. This zoning ordinance change was in part due to participation of Task Force members in a Planning Commission sub workgroup.

Open House November, 2025

The housing affordability crunch has reached a crisis in Gaylord and Northern Michigan, according to Paul Hartmann, a member of the planning commissions for Elmira Township and Otsego County.

Open House April, 2025

The open house in April, 2025, at the local library was attended by more than 50 community members. This was the Task Force’s first launch and introduction to the community.

Housing Need Assessments 2025

Both the Otsego Economic Alliance and Northeast Michigan Housing Alliance completed updated housing need assessments in 2025. Both studies were developed in part for the Otsego Housing Task Force.

Planning Commission Membership

One of the Housing Task Force members volunteered for and was recently voted in to be on the Gaylord City Planning Commission. In addition, there are 3 Housing Task Force members on the County Planning Commission.

Timothy Rywelski

Rural Real Estate Development Boot Camp

Help us create a future where housing in Otsego County is safe, stable and attainable.

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