Carmel Housing Task Force Urges Immediate Action to Address Growing Housing Crisis

Carmel Housing Task Force Report urges action on affordable housing solutions as Carmel faces a growing shortage of homes for residents.Photo byCarmel Housing Task Force Report

By Kristy Tallman, September 13, 2024

CARMEL, Ind. – Carmel’s Housing Task Force has issued its first set of critical recommendations in response to the city’s growing housing crisis. Unveiled during a public meeting, the report highlights key challenges related to housing supply, shifting demand, and affordability, all of which are impacting the city's residents and workforce.

Mayor Sue Finkam, who formed the Housing Task Force in February, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues. “Lack of desired housing leads to lifestyle compromises, talent and business attraction concerns,” Finkam said. “These can all negatively impact the way we interact with and enjoy our community, and our potential future success. We have led on the issue of providing viable and varied housing options, and we will continue to lead on this issue.”

The report calls for several immediate actions, including the development of more affordable "missing middle" housing—smaller homes that appeal to both first-time buyers and seniors looking to downsize. It also highlights the need for a permanent housing strategy that ensures residents across all income levels can find housing that suits their needs.

Task force members spent the last several months gathering input from residents, industry experts, and reviewing data to form a comprehensive picture of Carmel's housing challenges. Their findings indicate that without intervention, Carmel could face a significant workforce housing shortage by 2030, which could hinder the city’s economic growth and limit opportunities for residents.

“This work will serve as a vital resource as we strive to create better housing solutions for our residents,” said Mayor Finkam, expressing gratitude for the task force’s efforts.

The task force has made 13 key recommendations, including creating a permanent housing committee to advise the mayor, adopting a development strategy for new apartment construction, and facilitating the acquisition of green space to support future development.

As Carmel’s population continues to grow, the task force stresses that immediate action is needed to avoid exacerbating the current housing shortage. "We need to make housing a priority, and that means addressing affordability head-on," said Christine Zoccola, Chair of the Carmel Plan Commission and Task Force Chair.

With Carmel residents ranking the city’s quality of life as “excellent” in a recent community survey, the Housing Task Force is determined to ensure that the city's future includes a diverse range of housing options to maintain that high standard of living.

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By Kristy Tallman, September 13, 2024
The Republic News
Source: Carmel Housing Task Force

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