Ohio Needs More Housing—Here’s Why
Last week, I penned a letter to the Columbus Dispatch titled "It’s Time for Ohio to Wake Up. We Need More Housing." This urgent call to action was inspired by alarming projections that show most Ohio counties could lose population by 2050.?
As Executive Director of the BIA of Central Ohio, I'm deeply concerned about the implications of these projections for our state's housing market and the overall economy. Housing isn't just a commodity; it's the foundation upon which strong communities are built. With it, we can retain the workforce and families we need to thrive. As I stated in the letter to the editor:
“If our young people can’t find a place to live when they graduate, they move to another market. If a growing family can’t find a place to accommodate children, they must look elsewhere. If seniors can’t find a home that fits their current and future needs, they will be forced to find a community that does.
If we want to ensure Ohioans stay in our state, we must provide adequate housing options at all price points for people at all stages of life, and far too often, we have not.”
How Housing Impacts Population Growth
The Roadblocks Outdated regulations and policies are hindering housing development. We need to:
Let's Build a Brighter Future: I urge you to read my letter and the original article to learn more about this critical issue. Let’s work together to ensure Ohio’s future is one of growth, not decline.
Author / Senior Lecturer-Western Sydney University / Fellow AIB / Senior Lecturer-IATC
2 天前I hope this adds to the conversation. In Australia, residential construction cost is driven by eight factors, with the addition of the ARIMAX model, which incorporates exogenous variables, and XGBoost, which captures non-linear patterns not addressed by ARIMAX. These last two adjustments partially account for "animal spirits", which is evident in capitalism. See Linkedin Post: https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/matt-stevens-phd-faib-4867b45_kim-truong-thong-tran-john-jan-smolders-activity-7266600408238747648--XCT?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Dry needed editorial. Nice job Jon.
Principal at TEAM WS, LLC
1 周Jon-thank you for your continued leadership on this issue and for posting your letter to LinkedIn. As you point out in your letter, 50% of Ohio's housing is 50 years old or older, and a large portion of this housing is substandard due to the presence of lead paint, asbestos, deficient wiring and mechanical systems, little or no insulation and mold and problems associated with water infiltration. Our City and County Land Banks are a vital partner in rehabbing and redeveloping these older neighborhoods to maximize the efficient use of our land and infrastructure resources and contribute to the diversity in our housing opportunities, while increasing the supply of new and updated homes for Ohioans. Build more houses now, everywhere we can.
Principal at Strategic Opportunities LLC
1 周Thanks for your leadership Jon Melchi. We need action throughout the state and in each municipality. #familiesflourish
Development Director
1 周Great article Jon. The housing crisis in Ohio is a complex issue that touches so many facets of our communities—from economic stability to health and education outcomes. It’s encouraging to see this issue being highlighted here. One key factor I’ve observed is the role of collaboration between nonprofits, local governments, and private developers in addressing the shortage of attainable housing. Programs that align resources and streamline processes for creating new housing options can be a game-changer. I’d love to hear thoughts from others on what innovative solutions are making an impact in their areas. What’s working, and what lessons can we scale across the state?