Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday the appointment of a South Lyon man to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Statewide Housing Partnership.
Brad Ward is the vice president of public policy and legal affairs for Michigan Realtors. Mr. Ward is also a member of the State Bar of Michigan, National Association of Realtors Government Affairs Director Advisory Board, and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Tax Policy Committee.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy for Michigan State University, and J.D. from Wayne State University School of Law.
Mr. Ward is appointed to represent development associations or organizations, which might include organizations representing realtors, builders, and planners, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Last year, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2022-10 establishing the Statewide Housing Partnership as an advisory body within the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Members include leaders from state, local, and tribal governments, advocates from nonprofit and community organizations, and representatives from the business advocacy world and finance industry.
The partnership’s primary responsibility is to develop a strategy to implement the Michigan Statewide Housing Plan released in 2022 and make recommendations to MSHDA on how best to achieve its goals. The plan presented opportunities for organizations to partner on common objectives, including rehabilitating and stabilizing the housing supply, reducing equity gaps and homelessness, and increasing home energy efficiency and weatherization.
The new Statewide Housing Partnership will lead a coordinated, data-driven, outcome-oriented approach to housing, ensuring that all Michiganders have a safe, affordable place to call home. They will also establish regional consortiums to ensure statewide initiatives build on local efforts whenever possible, and they will keep Michiganders updated on their progress with public-facing communications. The Partnership will dissolve on September 6, 2024.
Ward’s appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
