Champaign County community leaders have released Open for Business: Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis for Champaign County, Ohio. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the market rate and affordable housing markets in Champaign County and its four largest communities: the City of Urbana and the Villages of Mechanicsburg, North Lewisburg, and St. Paris.
Like many counties in Ohio, Champaign County leaders are eager to retain and attract residents and employers, but believe the county’s current housing stock does not sufficiently meet demand. As a first step to improving housing options, The Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP) commissioned the Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC) to analyze the county’s housing market conditions. As part of the report release, two public meetings were held February 14 and March 2, 2020, where residents were able to provide feedback on the findings and recommendations. In light of the ongoing health and economic crisis, the CEP thought it prudent to release the findings of the report to guide Champaign County communities forward as they gradually transition to a new normal.
“Although this study was conducted and completed just before the COVID-19 crisis began to grip Champaign Co. and the state, its findings and recommendations will be even more relevant after the crisis subsides and we return to business as usual,” said Marcia Bailey, Executive Director of the Champaign Economic Partnership
Champaign County exists on the periphery of the Dayton, Springfield, and Columbus MSAs, making it an attractive “homebase” for several significant population centers and employment hubs. GOPC found concentrations of regional employers in Urbana, as well as stable household incomes and high homeownership rates across the county were major assets, but the lack of new development has begun to affect the ability of the county to attract residents and businesses.
“Before the COVID-19 crisis, we were heartened by the recent project investments and downtown rehab activity in Urbana and the villages. More, now than ever, we believe that Champaign Co. has the community spirit and commitment needed to coordinate and leverage resources for new housing projects in the future,” said Alison Goebel, Executive Director of the Greater Ohio Policy Center.
Open for Business presents thoughtful policies to preserve existing housing stock and encourage new market rate housing building and development within the four focus communities. The report makes 23 recommendations, organized in 6 focus areas, to enhance housing in Champaign County’s communities. The focus areas are:
Rally Stakeholders and Sustain Commitment
Prioritize Downtowns and Main Streets
Ensure Local Governments are Strong Partners to Development
Protect Existing Stock and Prevent It from Declining
Tap Into Creative, Patient, Financing Strategies
Maintain Affordability
The full Open for Business housing study can be found here: http://www.cepohio.com/housing-study.html and on the GOPC publications page.