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Most Buckeye State residents have understood Ohio has a big housing problem for years now. For those seeking a house or apartment, the crisis is unavoidable. But state lawmakers are just getting around to a sense of urgency on the matter.
The Ohio Senate Select Committee on Housing released a report Wednesday that includes 93 pages on “Housing Reimagined.” According to WBNS, there are 23 recommendations outlined for both short-term and long-term fixes.
“We can no longer be casual about this issue,” said Committee Chair Sen. Michele Reynolds, R-Dist. 3. “It is a priority and we need to make it a priority because we’re facing challenges that are increasingly getting worse.”
Ideas for tackling the crisis that has kept mortgage and rental rates high include creating a housing dashboard to increase transparency about pricing, rates, housing inventory and foreclosures; encouraging alternatives such as modular or tiny homes; reviewing consumer protections in the home-buying process; updating codes for renters and looking at property taxes and incentives for builders, according to WBNS.
It’s a great start, as long as lawmakers and other public officials keep up the momentum and remain determined to reverse this crisis.
“To be categorically clear, we must recognize that there is still work to be done. Together we can build a future where every Ohioan has a place to call home,” said state Sen. Hearcel Craig, D-Dist. 15, according to WBNS.
It’s a wonderful thought. But it will take cooperation from communities, counties, regional development authorities — maybe even financial institutions — to make it happen. It is certainly an effort for which it is worth pulling together. The question is: Can we?
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