Mary Alice Reporting –
Following tours across Ohio, a housing report has been issued with recommendations.
The Senate Select Committee on Housing was tasked to discover barriers in the housing market, with testimonies, talks, and visits occurring, to understand challenges faced; including, Senators Michele Reynolds and Hearcel Craig come to Hartzler’s Quality Housing, located in Dover.
Common themes heard across northeast Ohio was construction costs, supply chain issues, lack of affordable housing, lack of adequate funding, and housing market volatility.
During a press conference, Senator Matt Huffman notes that housing is an important and crucial issue.
“It’s not just about the economy. It’s not just about the social well fair of folks, but it’s really about the vibrancy of the state.”
Committee Chair Senator Reynolds points out housing challenges stem from factors like economic, social, and policy. In the released report, 23 recommendations were provided, such as increasing opportunities for home ownership and consumer protection for renters and home buyers.
“Alternative forms of housing, housing tax policy, increasing density, capacity building grants for local governments, zoning, technical assistance, third party reviewer services, modifications to the Ohio housing tax fund and our department of development.”
The biggest take away, says Reynolds, is that the state needs to take action and make homeownership affordability a priority; however, a vision needs to be created for housing and to create partnerships. Housing policy innovations was also mentioned thanks to manufactured and modular homes, tiny homes, 3D printing, and home equity sharing.
The full report can be read at www.ohiosenate.gov/committees/select-committee-on-housing/meetings.
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