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Ohio's new state Senate Housing Committee began its work last week, as concerns such as housing shortages, high rents, property taxes and accessibility have created quite a challenge to growing and diversifying the state's economy.
"We need to hear from anyone who has anything to do with housing, and we need to factor in what role the state can play," Sen. Michele Reynolds, R-Canal Winchester, told a WSYX-TV reporter earlier this week.
While it is important for our representatives in Columbus to consider what they can do to help (or where they can get government out of the way), state Sen. Hearcel Craig, D-Columbus, is right to understand this is not a government-only problem.
According to WSYX, Craig has called for more and improved private-public partnerships in increasing the housing inventory. In addition to developing enough housing in our communities to accommodate all the job-seekers we say we want to come our way, such partnerships also will have to figure whether there is a way to make those houses more affordable.
Ohio Housing Finance Agency data shows more than 1 million Buckeye State residents live in households where more than half the income is spent on housing costs. And those are the ones who still are finding a way to remain in their homes. One Columbus Councilmember told WOSU the increase in housing costs and homelessness is being driven, in part, by out-of-town investors.
So who steps up? State government can't -- and shouldn't -- do it alone. Private partners within our communities are essential. There must be a concerted effort to develop enough affordable, accessible housing for those struggling to remain in the communities they love AND for those we hope will come along with new employers.
After all, site readiness means more than just the utilities feeding into a plot of land ready for development. It means being able to tell an employer there will be good schools, adequate health care, recreational opportunities and a place for their employees to call home.
The time for wondering whether we should do something is long past. Now it is time to figure out what we -- government and private partners -- can do to address the housing crisis, and get to work.