STATEHOUSE (Feb. 14, 2023) – The Indiana House of Representatives recently advanced legislation supported by State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) that would help communities of all sizes expand housing options.
Indiana's population is growing and the Indiana Apartment Association estimates the state will need 4,000 additional multifamily housing units annually over the next 10 years.
Engleman said House Bill 1005 would establish the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program, a revolving loan fund to help local governments tackle costly infrastructure needs that could open up new housing development. Through the program, communities could apply for loans and use the money to move forward with projects like water distribution systems, sanitary sewer systems, and electric or gas distribution lines.
"As our local communities continue to grow, we need affordable housing options to make it easier to build a life here and meet the workforce demands," Engelman said. "This bill would create a pathway for locals to partner with the state and developers to get the needed infrastructure in place, which will incentivize new housing projects."
Engleman said the Indiana Finance Authority would oversee the revolving fund in order to provide assistance to communities for the long term. To benefit smaller, more rural communities where the lack of housing is more prevalent, 70 percent of the funding would be for municipalities under 50,000 people.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Habitat for Humanity, Hoosier Housing Coalition, Indiana Manufactured Housing Association and Accelerate Indiana Municipalities support the legislation.
House Bill 1005 now moves to the Senate for further consideration. For more information visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) represents House District 70,
which includes all of Harrison County, and portions of Clark, Floyd and Washington counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
