FRANKFORT -- A Northern Michigan community is hoping to attract new families by building affordable housing.

Construction is underway for an affordable housing project in Frankfort. Hollander Development Company received funding for the 36 unit apartment complex from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. City Officials say what was once an eyesore in the community will now be a family friendly area.

City Mayor Pro Term, JoAnn Holwerda says "It's close to our schools, shopping I’m excited. Its just gonna be an extreme asset to our community."

City Superintendent, Joshua Mills says "There will be a park associated with it and also a wetland park.”

Frankfort sits on the edge of Lake Michigan. It’s a resort community full of shops and restaurants that boom in the summer. City officials say what it’s missing is young families to fill schools and stay year round.

Holwerda says "We need young people to want to be here. We cannot survive the next 20, 30 years as a resort community. We need that youth here."

Mills says "There are a vast amount of people that work locally that aren't able to live locally."

So who qualifies to live in these apartments? It is based on income and family size. Families interested in renting the apartments must make 60% or less than the median income of families in Frankfort.

According to MSHDA, the median income of a three person family in Frankfort is $57,000. That means a three person family interested in living in these apartments must make $34,000 or less.  

Holwerda says "We need something to bring youth back into community. I think right now our population is mostly retired people, so we really need to bring youth they are future."