No matter what city I'm in or what event I'm attending, housing is the number one issue people bring up. In places like Traverse City, where the average cost of a house is creeping into the millions, farmers can't find a place to live and raise their families. In larger cities like Detroit, rent costs are out of control and families who have lived in the city for generations are being priced out. This is not conducive to a Michigan where everyone can thrive.

Michigan's housing market is under strain. Rents are rising faster than wages, first-time homebuyers are being locked out of the market, and seniors are struggling to remain in the communities they've called home for decades. In rural areas, housing shortages limit job growth. In cities, neglected properties and speculative investors drive up costs without creating stability.

At the root of the problem? A broken system that lets corporate investors and out-of-state speculators treat Michigan homes like commodities instead of communities. Wall Street landlords buy up properties, driving prices through the roof while housing sits vacant or gets converted into short-term rentals that don't serve local families. Meanwhile, decades of underinvestment combined with outdated zoning regulations and bureaucratic red tape have created a perfect storm where working families simply can't find or afford a place to call home.

We need a comprehensive approach that treats housing as both an economic driver and a basic necessity. That means building more homes, faster. As Secretary of State, I cut through red tape and transformed an office people dreaded into one they praise for its efficiency. As governor, I'll do the same for our housing processes.

Housing is the foundation for economic security, community growth, and Michigan's future. As Governor, I will make it a top priority.