Cornerstone Alliance Hosts State of Housing Event
Cornerstone Alliance Hosts State of Housing Event, Releases Berrien County Housing Needs Assessment
Cornerstone Alliance convened municipal leaders, developers, and community stakeholders on April 14 at Commune + Market in Three Oaks for its State of Housing event, highlighting key findings from the newly completed Berrien County Housing Needs Assessment and reaffirming the organization’s commitment to expanding access to housing in Berrien County. Cornerstone Alliance will also use the findings as a foundational resource to expand awareness of development opportunities and elevate Berrien County as a destination for investment among the regional development community across West Michigan and beyond.
The presentation, led by Patrick Bowen of Bowen National Research, provided a comprehensive, data-driven look at current housing conditions, market trends, and projected needs across Berrien County. The assessment is intended to serve as a resource for communities and partners working to expand housing opportunities and support long-term economic growth.
Findings from the study reinforce a growing challenge across the region: a shortage of attainable housing, particularly for working households. The analysis identified a significant gap in homes priced under $300,000, limiting options for young professionals, families, seniors, and the local workforce.
Over the next five years, housing demand in Berrien County is expected to continue to outpace supply, with an estimated need for 2,208 additional rental units and approximately 4,136 for-sale units. This imbalance highlights the scale of opportunity for communities, developers, and partners to address housing availability across the county.
The county’s median home price increased from $239,050 in 2021 to approximately $300,000 in 2025, with current listings averaging closer to $439,900. As costs rise, more households are experiencing financial strain, with more than 17,000 households spending over 30 percent of their income on housing.
“Housing is not a standalone issue, it is an economic development issue,” said Marla Schneider, President and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance. “When attainable housing is limited, it impacts our ability to support businesses, attract talent, and sustain long-term growth across our communities.”
The State of Housing event was designed to move beyond awareness and begin building alignment around shared priorities. Attendees represented a range of partners who play a role in advancing housing solutions, including local and State government, developers, and community organizations.
Communities across Berrien County need a clear understanding of the housing opportunities that exist in today’s market and how to effectively leverage available tools to attract and support development,” said Andrew Haan, Senior Vice President at Cornerstone Alliance. “Our team is committed to sharing these insights and working alongside local partners to help move projects forward across the region.”
Cornerstone Alliance emphasized that the Housing Needs Assessment is not intended to sit on a shelf, but to actively guide decisions and coordinated action across Berrien County. Housing has been identified as a strategic priority within the organization’s 2026 Strategic Plan, reinforcing a focused, long-term commitment to this work. In support of that, Cornerstone is advancing the establishment of a Director of Housing Advancement role, dedicated to working alongside municipalities and community partners to move solutions forward.
The full Berrien County Housing Needs Assessment is available at GoMichigan.com
About Cornerstone Alliance
Cornerstone Alliance is the leading economic development organization dedicated to fostering growth and prosperity in Michigan’s Great Southwest. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative partnerships, Cornerstone Alliance drives innovation and opportunity, positioning the region for sustainable economic success. As the leading advocate for the local business and development sector, Cornerstone Alliance delivers tailored business assistance across Berrien County.
