News Release

Lakeshore Feeling the Summer Housing Crunch

News Release Date: March 19, 2019 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) has long been able to meet all its summer seasonal housing needs with its own stock of government-owned quarters. In 2019, for the first time, the park needs additional short-term housing for its seasonal workforce of park rangers, guides, maintenance workers, interns, and biological technicians.

As many businesses in Leelanau, Benzie, and Grand Traverse Counties know all too well, summer employees have difficulty finding suitable short-term housing. Most are college students or people just starting careers and have limited budgets. Many apartments will not lease or rent for less than six months or a year and these summer employees typically work no longer than four to six months. At the National Lakeshore, a higher-than-usual number of non-local employees, combined with renovation projects on two of the government housing units has placed the park in this difficult situation as well.

Superintendent Scott Tucker is using social media to request assistance from anyone who might have rental space available starting in April or May. Tucker says, “Our employees make great renters as they all have steady paychecks and successfully completed background checks. These folks are trustworthy, loyal, clean, friendly, courteous….oh wait, wrong list, but you get the point.” 

Tucker notes that most employees will be looking for temporary (four to seven months) housing, preferably furnished apartments or rooms with cooking privileges. Persons interested in receiving referrals for seasonal renters from the National Lakeshore should send detailed rental information, including a point of contact, to Lisa Griebel at [e-mail] or call 231-326-4726 with questions.