Today, The News wrapped up a five-part series exploring the causes and effects of Northeast Michigan’s housing shortage.

After weeks of reporting that included research and interviews with homebuyers, sellers, real estate officials, and economic development officials, The News’ “Short Supply” series showed the region hampered in its ability to meet a booming housing demand because of high prices that make it hard to build new and because much existing housing sits tied up in hunting cabins, lake cottages, and summer homes. The region also deals with a chicken-and-egg debate: Developers reluctant to build new housing without existing housing to show potential success.

And, The News reported, the resulting shortage hurts our economy, with businesses sometimes unable to recruit new talent because those potential employees can’t find somewhere to live.

But, as The News reported on today’s front page, fixes can be had. We urge local officials to keep all of them on the table, including:

∫ Enterprise Zones and other programs that provide tax breaks for new housing development

∫ Zoning ordinance changes that make it easier to build housing, including adding units to existing lots

∫ Seeking grants for new development

∫ Soliciting potential developers for properties such as the former Alpena Power Co. site along the Thunder Bay River downtown

∫ Moratoriums or other limits on the construction of new seasonal, recreational, or temporary-use housing.

We don’t want Northeast Michigan to become something it’s not, and we have to protect the rural, uncrowded, lakeside escape we offer new residents.

But, as the old adage goes, if you’re not growing, you’re dying, and we have to do more to give those who want to move here a place to go.

Much of the housing shortage here is caused by national economic trends outside of officials’ control, but they should use every tool in their toolbox to help alleviate the problem.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)