Charles Marohn, president and founder of Strong Towns, will be presenting at a two-day housing event in St. Joseph, Michigan, on December 12-13, 2024.

LOCATION: Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, Frederick S Upton Foundation Education Center Pavilion | DATE: December 12-13, 2024 

The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, in collaboration with the Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS®, is proud to host the “Escaping the Housing Trap” Summit, a two-day event aimed at addressing the region's growing housing crisis. The summit will feature best-selling author and Strong Towns founder Charles (Chuck) Marohn.

Based on Chuck Marohn's latest book “Escaping the Housing Trap: The Strong Towns Solution to the Housing Crisis,” the summit will address key issues of housing affordability and accessibility. Targeted toward elected officials, developers, real estate professionals, lending institutions, community advocates and concerned citizens, the event will serve as a platform for collaboration and the creation of actionable solutions to tackle the housing challenges in Southwest Michigan.

“Our goal is to create a space where stakeholders from various sectors can come together, learn alongside one another, and identify strategies to collectively address our region’s housing challenges,” said Arthur Havlicek, president & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. “By working together, we can develop solutions that not only tackle our immediate needs, but also lay the foundation for long-term resilience and growth.”

The summit kicks off with an evening session on Thursday, December 12, featuring a keynote presentation and book signing by Marohn. The keynote will provide an in-depth look at the tension between housing as a financial asset and housing as a fundamental necessity — a theme central to Marohn’s work. A Q&A session and networking opportunities will follow the presentation.

Day 2, on Friday, December 13, will feature a half-day workshop that will include discussions and collaborative planning sessions led by Marohn himself. These will cover topics such as the Strong Towns approach to sustainable development, incremental housing and pre-approved building plans, zoning and ordinance reform, and the elimination of parking minimums.

“Chuck Marohn’s insights into how housing policies have evolved and the real-world implications for communities are essential for anyone looking to create more affordable and resilient housing solutions,” said Alan Jeffries, CEO of the Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS®. “We’re excited to bring this conversation to Southwest Michigan.”

Through Marohn’s guidance, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how policy decisions impact housing accessibility and affordability. They will walk away with practical tools to combat the negative cycles that drive up prices and limit availability, empowering them to create a more balanced and sustainable housing market.

“The housing crisis affects everyone,” said Havlicek. “With over 200 expected to attend, we believe this is an opportunity to inspire real change.”