The 2026 GMAR Elected Officials Breakfast took place on March 30th and invited elected officials and members from across our jurisdiction to come together in conversation of our shared goal: promoting homeownership in our communities.
The event opened with remarks from 2026 GMAR President Jaye Sanders, who emphasized the importance and urgency of addressing today’s housing challenges. She noted that while affordability concerns and limited housing supply continue to shape the market, 85% of Americans view it as essential to the American Dream. However, for many, that dream is becoming increasingly more difficult to attain. Sanders highlighted that the median age of first-time homebuyers has risen to 40, the highest age on record, and that first-time homebuyers now make up a significantly smaller share of the market than previous decades.
Sanders further emphasized that housing challenges extend beyond individual buyers, impacting workforce development, local tax bases, and community vitality. Despite steady demand across the region, Michigan continues to fall behind national trends in housing development with significantly fewer homes being built relative to job growth in recent years. She stressed that even without major population increases, shifting household sizes and demographic trends mean the need for housing will continue to grow, as will the range of housing types to better reflect current, smaller household sizes.
She ended with a call to action, urging those in the room to continue their collaboration efforts as we all work towards our common goal of building strong, vibrant communities. By working together, she noted, leaders can ensure that more individuals and families achieve the dream of homeownership.
Building on Jaye’s remarks, the event transitioned to a diverse panel discussion between industry experts, including Karen Greenwood, GMAR REALTOR®, Ryan Kilpatrick, Founder of Flywheel Companies -- a community development firm -- and Vito Castellana, partner at VIP Homes and Development. Each shared their perspectives on growth, homeownership, and development.
The panel highlighted that today’s homebuyers are placing more value on factors beyond the house itself, especially school districts, community features, and walkability. Panelists noted that while the home remains important, it is often the broader community that ultimately drives purchasing decisions, reinforcing the need for communities to invest in themselves through development.
A recurring theme was the importance of collaboration. Panelists emphasized that strong public-private partnerships are essential to addressing housing challenges, pointing to successful developments made possible through cooperation on zoning, incentives, and shared goals between municipalities and developers.
The discussion also underscored the need for alignment between a community’s long-term vision and their zoning practices. While many master plans promote affordability, density, and walkability, outdated zoning regulations make these goals difficult to achieve. Panelists encouraged local leaders to consider practical changes, such as increasing height limits, reducing parking requirements, and allowing mixed-use development to expand housing opportunities in their communities.
Additionally, the panel addressed common concerns around growth, including infrastructure capacity, traffic, and school enrollment. Panelists mentioned that these concerns are often overstated and can be mitigated by conversation and thoughtful planning. The panel noted that growth is positive for communities and brings in more tax dollars, supports local businesses, and sustains public services. Unfortunately, communities that do not invest in their growth often get left behind as people move to locations that do, resulting in lost opportunities.
Generational trends were another key focus. Panelists noted that younger buyers are entering the market later, while older generations are remaining in their homes longer, creating increased competition and limiting supply. Addressing barriers to downsizing and exploring a wide range of housing types were identified as important steps toward improving opportunities for prospective homeowners.
Overall, the conversation reinforced that addressing today’s housing challenges will require flexibility and continued conversation between all stakeholders. By working together and embracing thoughtful change, communities can expand access to homeownership and ensure long-term growth and viability.