City of Muskegon Places in Top 3 for the 2025 Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability
November 6, 2025
Muskegon, MI – The City of Muskegon is proud to announce that it placed in the Top 3 nationally for the 2025 Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability, alongside the State of Florida and Los Angeles County. This prestigious national award recognizes innovative, feasible, and scalable solutions aimed at addressing the critical issue of housing affordability.
Muskegon’s achievement is especially noteworthy as the city ranked ahead of major cities including Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, highlighting the impact of its forward-thinking housing initiatives.
The city’s program uses Brownfield tax increment financing (TIF) as a tool to finance and develop new affordable housing. It leverages tax capture from market-rate infill housing to subsidize the construction of owner-occupied homes for low- to moderate-income buyers. This approach transforms vacant lots into high-quality, attainable housing while promoting neighborhood revitalization and long-term community investment.
Learn more about the Ivory Prize Competition here: https://www.ivoryinnovations.org/ivory-prize
Top 10 Information here: https://www.ivoryinnovations.org/ivory-prize-2025-top-10
About the City of Muskegon’s Development Services Division:
The City of Muskegon is leading efforts to expand housing access through innovative zoning reforms, targeted infill development, and strategic use of tax incentives. Since 2019, the city has delivered over 200 new homes and reached 51% of its 5-year housing goal by the end of 2024. Ongoing projects include market-rate and affordable housing developments, including four new LIHTC projects bringing nearly 200 affordable units by 2026. These efforts reflect a strong commitment to building a vibrant, inclusive, and economically resilient community.
Learn more about the city’s Development Services Division here: https://muskegon-mi.gov/city-services/development-services/
Media inquiries:
Deborah Sweet
231-225-6797
[email protected]