Michigan Regional Pro-Housing Policy Forum

September 11, 2025

Michigan’s housing shortage is squeezing families, stalling growth, and straining communities from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula. The Michigan Pro-Housing Policy Forum convenes leaders from government, business, finance, and advocacy to cut through political gridlock, harness bipartisan federal momentum, and deliver bold, practical solutions that match homes to the needs of Michigan’s people, unlocking housing abundance and economic vitality statewide.

Featured speakers:

Mike Kingsella

CEO and Founder, Up for Growth and Up for Growth Action

Jared Fleisher

CEO, Bedrock Detroit

Mark Vanderpool

City Manager of Sterling Heights

Anika Goss-Foster

CEO, Detroit Future City

Arthur Jemison

Executive Director, Detroit Housing Commission

Tim Klont

Chief Operating Officer, Michigan State Housing Development Authority

Hunter Kurtz

Founding Partner, Gatehouse Strategies

Leah MacArthur

Chief of Staff, Up for Growth

Shannon Morgan

Renovare Development

Andy Schor

Mayor, Lansing Michigan

Khalfani Stephens

Deputy Mayor, City of Pontiac

David Williams

Director of Real Estate, Impact and Partnerships, Lafayette Square Institute

Dr. Mike Wilkerson

Policy Fellow, Up for Growth

Agenda

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

2:00pm

Doors Open

2:25pm

Welcome

Mike Kingsella, Chief Executive Officer of Up for Growth and Up for Growth Action, will set the stage for the day's discussion.

Mike Kingsella

CEO, Up for Growth

2:30pm

Opening Remarks

Jared Fleisher is Vice President of Government Affairs and Economic Development at the Rock Family of Companies, where he leads public policy and redevelopment initiatives that have reshaped Detroit and Michigan’s economy. Recently named incoming CEO of Bedrock, he has been a driving force behind landmark projects and incentive programs that fuel urban revitalization and long-term growth.

Jared Fleischer

CEO, Bedrock Detroit

2:35pm

Beyond Zoning Reform: What Will It Really Take To Solve The Housing Crisis

This session will use local data to highlight why solving Michigan’s housing shortage demands smarter solutions than just zoning reform and building more. The discussion will connect Michigan’s challenges to Up for Growth Action’s federal agenda, combining an interview-style conversation with key slides and visuals.

Dr. Michael Wilkerson

Director of Economic Research, Econorthwest; Policy Fellow, Up for Growth

Leah MacArthur

Chief of Staff, Up for Growth

3:00pm

Cracking the Code: Unlocking Local Solutions to the Housing Shortage

A conversation with Michigan mayors who are proactively tackling the housing shortage and creating pathways to housing abundance.

Hunter Kurtz

Founding Partner of Gate House Strategies

Khalfani Stephens

Deputy Mayor, Pontiac

Andy Schor

Mayor, Lansing

Mark Vanderpool

City Manager of Sterling Heights, Michigan

3:45pm

Break

Take a short break and engage with our live polling. QR codes will be available on tables for you to scan, share your thoughts, and help shape the conversation.

4:00pm

Federal Momentum, Local Impact: Driving Housing Solutions Across Michigan

How Michigan can leverage the bipartisan housing consensus in Washington to fund shovel-ready projects, accelerate production and preservation, and deliver local impact statewide.

David Williams

Director of Real Estate, Impact and Partnerships, Lafayette Square Institute

Shannon Morgan

President & Co-Founder, Renovare Development

Arthur Jemison

Executive Director, Detroit Housing Commission

Tim Klont

Chief Operating Officer, Michigan State Housing Development Authority

4:45pm

Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Close out the day with a strong call to action, encouraging continued advocacy and coalition engagement. Mike will outline clear next steps for how participants can stay involved and help drive lasting change.