Kosciusko County Developing Housing Shortage Plan
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA group of community leaders in Kosciusko County is developing a game plan to increase and improve housing options for the area’s growing workforce.
The organization has released the results of a market analysis that shows “the significance of the need” for workforce attainable housing.
The organizations said without adequate housing, it’s difficult to attract quality workers.
The analysis shows 4,255 households with incomes over $40,000 have the potential to move within and to Kosciusko County each year. The data indicates between 1,350 and 1,920 new residential units can be absorbed over the next five years.
“This housing strategy provides the foundation we need to make informed decisions on how to address a shortage in workforce housing,” said Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger.
As a result of the analysis, Kosciusko County, the City of Warsaw, and the Kosciusko County Community Foundation have hired Fort Wayne-based HPG Network to develop a housing strategy.
The group says the market analysis and housing strategy will help guide the use of a $1 million grant awarded last summer to Warsaw-based Zimmer Biomet (NYSE: ZBH) in the Anchor Employer Workforce Housing Demonstration program by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.
That program is designed to increase workforce housing in the state.
“The Housing Strategy provides us with a road map to move forward,” said Kosciusko County Economic Development Corp. Chief Executive Officer Alan Tio, “It is important that we take steps as a community to meet the needs identified so we can continue to thrive.”