Ohio REALTORS Provides Testimony on Solutions to Solve Ohio’s Housing Crisis
By Anastasia Kotkovskaya, Ohio REALTORS Manager, Advocacy and Research
Ohio REALTORS® Assistant VP of Government Affairs Andrew Huffman and Assistant VP of External Engagement Veronica Cardello testified before the Senate Committee on Housing on the urgent need for solutions that address the housing shortage and affordability crisis.
With nearly 270,000 affordable rental units and 100,000 single-family units missing from the market, home values and property taxes have skyrocketed, making homeownership increasingly out of reach for many Ohioans. Huffman shared in his testimony:
“The most recent sales data from 2024 showed the average sales price in Ohio reached $291,062, a 7.3% increase from the previous year and nearly double what it was in 2014 ($149,210). As home values have risen, so have property taxes. Far too many homeowners are struggling to keep up with their growing tax bills and face the real possibility of being taxed out of homeownership. In fact, a recent study conducted by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation found that Ohio’s property taxes are 72% higher in Ohio than in other locations examined by the study.”
He outlined several key policy initiatives that could help alleviate Ohio’s housing challenges, including reducing construction costs through modular housing innovation, reforming zoning and permitting laws, expanding density bonuses, and implementing pre-approved infill housing plans.
Building on these policy initiatives, Cardello introduced an exciting project Ohio REALTORS® has been working on in collaboration with the Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC) to address the state’s housing crisis by promoting infill housing development.
Housing Ohio: Tools for Development is scheduled for release in March 2025 and will offer two free building plans that are specifically designed to reduce expenses by eliminating design and architectural fees. They will offer multiple variations to accommodate both builder and resident preferences. These plans can be pre-approved for building permits by building safety divisions in most jurisdictions, streamlining the permitting process. Leveraging provisions in the Residential Building Code, this pre-approval program will accelerate new construction, reduce costs, and encourage development that fits the unique needs of each community.
The Ohio Senate Committee on Housing was formed as a select committee during the last General Assembly to examine the housing shortage and efforts the state can pursue to remove barriers to housing construction and encourage homeownership. Ohio REALTORS® is pleased to see that this committee is now a standing committee that will continue its important work in advancing policies to expand housing opportunities.
Additional information about the committee can be found here: Ohio Senate Housing Committee
Ohio REALTORS® full testimony and presentation can be found here: Ohio Senate Housing Committee Meeting 2/19/25