LANSING, Mich. (Aug. 2, 2021) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 459 into law, expanding the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) Act, a housing tool utilized by local governments to incentivize home improvements through property tax relief.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) and previously introduced by Sen. Adam Hollier (D-Detroit) to allow an application for an NEZ certificate to be filed after a building permit has already been issued for the project. This flexibility provides consideration for developers delayed in completing rehabilitation or construction of facilities due to circumstances beyond their control, including workforce disruptions and material shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sens. Moss and Hollier released the following statement on the bill signing:

“Too many neighborhoods throughout Michigan are in need of revitalization. We’ve seen firsthand how the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Act has successfully rehabilitated areas in Detroit and its inner-ring suburbs by lifting the financial burden from those seeking to make needed home improvements. We thank Gov. Whitmer for supporting our legislation to ensure more projects can reap the benefits from this act to help renew Michigan’s diverse housing stock and promote affordable homeownership.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 459 into law this past Frida
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 459 into law

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Attached photo featuring Sen. Jeremy Moss with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer courtesy of Sen. Jeremy Moss.