WUPPDR’s Seeks Contractors for MIHOPE Projects Before September Bid Deadline

In the past two years has worked to help Michigan homeowners make necessary upgrades. Around the state, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority has used several regional planners and organizations to find homes in need of repairs and contractors in the region able to work. WUPPDR regional Planner Lisa McKenzie says that in the four-county region the organization works in, more than 60 homes have been helped so far. However one of the biggest challenges organizations like WUPPDR face stems from a lack of contractors signed up.

So the challenge is to get all of these contracts in place before the deadline in September this year. Now that doesn’t mean that the work has to be done this year. MSHDA requires us to have all of our projects under contract by that date. But the work can occur in the following year in 2025 or even early into 2026. Before all of the funding spent. That’s a huge challenge. And we’re trying to work through the process with the contractors so they can provide us with bids. – Lisa McKenzie, Regional Planner, Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region

The organization says in Iron, Houghton, Baraga, and Keweenaw counties need more general contractors for the program to move forward in full. Becoming an MIHOPE contractor is an easy process says Office Manager MaryEllen Hyttinen. Adding that the organization will even work with contractors that can come in from other areas too.

Several of the contractors that we have working on our projects have worked on our housing programs in the past. And many of them have worked for Community Action and worked with their weatherization program; in addition to just their regular line of work, their businesses. So they’re very familiar with all the scopes of work that we have in this project. For the MIHOPE program we are administering projects in four U.P. counties, Baraga, Iron, Houghton and Keweenaw.  Right now we are having difficulty getting contractors in Iron County. And so some projects have been held up in that area due to a lack of contractors. – MaryEllen Hyttinen, Office Manager, Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region

For WUPPDR to complete the MIHOPE contracts remaining by the 2026 deadline more contractors are needed. The organization adds that the other areas of the Upper Peninsula are also in need of contractors for MI HOPE programs in the eastern and central regions. Contractors participating in MIHOPE will need to complete paperwork with WUPPDR or whatever regional organization by September 30th this year. Work must be finished by the end of 2026. Those interested in learning more about MIHOPE’s program with the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region here.

Contractors interested in learning more about the program and how to join should contact MaryEllen Hyttinen with WUPPDR. Find contact information for the office here.