STATEHOUSE (May 9, 2023) – More communities will have the ability to increase local housing stock thanks to a new law championed by State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart).
Currently, costly infrastructure projects present a roadblock for developers and local communities that want to expand housing options. To help, Miller authored legislation to create the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program, which will serve as a revolving loan fund to help local governments cover the costs of these projects like water distribution systems, sanitary sewer systems, and electric or gas distribution lines.
"As our communities continue to grow, housing must keep up to meet the needs," Miller said. "With this innovative loan program, local governments can partner with the state and move forward on much-needed infrastructure with the goal of incentivizing developers to build more housing stock."
Miller said the Indiana Finance Authority will oversee the revolving fund, with 70 percent of the funding dedicated to municipalities under 50,000 people, where the lack of housing is more prevalent.
The IFA will develop and use a ranking system prioritizing loans for entities that invested in a housing study within the last five years, had a housing study performed by a region's local economic development organization or demonstrated the need for housing inventory as indicated by the Indiana State Housing Dashboard. This dashboard at in.gov/ihcda/dashboard tracks demographic and housing trends across the state at a county-by-county level.
Miller said Hoosier renters and property managers can visit Indiana Housing Now at IndianaHousingNow.org to connect to housing resources.
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State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) represents House District 48,
which includes a portion of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Photo Caption: State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) in the House Chamber testifies about the need for expanding housing options throughout the state Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, at the Indiana Statehouse. This session, he authored a new law to spur housing development and help local governments tackle costly infrastructure needs like water and sewage.
