City of Battle Creek Housing Action Plan
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
HR&A guided Battle Creek through comprehensive housing planning to address existing needs and prepare for Ford’s $2.5 billion battery plant. Our Housing Framework and Action Plan for the City, Battle Creek Unlimited, and the WK Kellogg Foundation prioritized investments and programs while advancing funding discussions with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
HR&A initially prepared a Housing Framework in the spring of 2023, identifying existing housing needs and introducing potential programs, policies, and development sites. In the fall of 2023, the project’s Leadership Team reengaged HR&A to prepare a comprehensive Housing Action Plan prioritizing near-term and longer-term investments. Using findings from in-depth housing needs assessment, stakeholder interviews, site assessment analysis, and financial feasibility studies, we identified priority housing programs best addressing the city’s existing and future requirements.
The Housing Action Plan, drafted in March 2024, provides Battle Creek with clear implementation pathways for housing investments. This strategic framework positions the city to meet current community needs while building capacity to accommodate workforce growth from Ford’s battery plant, advancing Battle Creek’s economic development goals through coordinated housing strategies.
