SPRINGFIELD — A plan to improve the housing stock in Springfield, specifically aimed at creating affordable housing for all income levels and eliminating “zombie properties,” was launched Friday.
The Greater Ohio Policy Center’s plan, “Quality Housing for All: A Four-Year Strategic Plan for Springfield,” outlines ways community partners can collaborate to address the city’s current and long-term housing needs, policy center officials said in a prepared statement.
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“Accessible and affordable housing is key to a thriving community, and a vital component of economic development,” City Manager Bryan Heck told News Center 7′s James Rider. “Just as we work to support new and existing businesses in Springfield, we work to find innovative and practical ways to enhance, rehabilitate, and build new and existing housing in our neighborhoods.”
Part of the plan to build housing and rehab existing housing is to address “zombie properties” that can be found all over the city.
“Once a house sits long enough that the plumbing has all been stolen. The electric is all corrupt, part of the roof starts to collapse, it starts to suck the brains of the neighboring houses,” city Community Development Director Shannon Meadows said in defining the term “zombie properties.”
The housing plan’s over-arching goal is to develop a road map for quality housing for all income levels, Meadows said.
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Another critical part of the overall picture in Springfield is the availability of rental housing.
“It’s nearly impossible to find a home if you’re trying to rent or buy,” Meadows said.
According to the policy center report, Springfield’s supply of naturally occurring affordable housing has shrunk over the last two years for several reasons: the supply of affordable rental housing has not grown but demand has increased substantially. “The recent influx of Haitian neighbors has contributed to these market dynamics, but are not the only reason. Rents have also substantially risen, making fewer units affordable, even if their quality and condition have not improved.”
There is no other mention of racial populations in the report and no further details regarding “Haitian neighbors.”
The Fair Market Rent in 2022 for a two-bedroom apartment was $821, the highest ever in recent memory, according to the report.
“Often times we’re planning for very low income housing and we’re planning for very high income housing,” Meadows said. “We really need to look at the entire spectrum. Because that way we create enough flexibility to shift up and shift down within any type of housing market.”
Meadows said affordable and accessible housing, a very essential human need, cannot diminish in the community.”
The strategy plan is a guide for addressing that need, Meadows said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more crucial that we act on this plan to meet the needs of the community by building a solid foundation.”
The policy center’s plan has four focus points:
◊ Protect vulnerable residents;
◊ Enhance existing housing stock;
◊ Produce additional affordable housing; and,
◊ Reduce barriers to housing development and renovation.
The policy center developed the plan with a range of stakeholders, conducted one-on-one and small group interviews, gathered more than 500 responses to a community survey in April 2021, and consulted with an advisory committee that reflected the city’s racial demographics and industry diversity.
To view and download a copy of the plan, go to https://springfieldohio.gov/springfield-services/housing-development/
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