By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The latest analysis of the housing market in Hays by RDG Planning and Design, Omaha, shows a need for new living units in all categories.
A housing study is required by state statute before the economic incentive tool, Reinvestment Housing Incentive District, can be used. The city has six such incentive district projects underway.
City commissioners had a robust, hour-long discussion about housing during their meeting Thursday.
"We really are doing good things," said Alaina Cunningham, commissioner. "There's still obstacles to overcome, and obviously, the data is showing we still have housing needs.
"Affordability is going to be a different definition for all of us. ... But I really feel as a whole, we are trying to look at all the options and making things affordable and trying to encourage development, mostly private development," Cunningham said.
Vice Mayor Mason Ruder pointed out the slowdown and even elimination of state and federal incentives for housing projects, particularly low-income developments.
"We sometimes get railroaded by state and federal cuts ... for programs that are supposed to help solve some of these problems," Ruder said.
"Instead of saying we're done, we're here discussing different avenues we can take without throwing straight cash at it because ... we like having money in reserves," he said.
The city plans for a 1% annual population growth rate, which Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director, called "aggressive." An average annual construction of 95 housing units is required to support a 1% growth rate.
Details of the housing report showed the mix of housing has shifted from single-family and duplex to single-family and multi-family over the past three years. The greatest need is for households making less than $25,000 and more than $75,000 annually.
The shortage of housing is likely to persist as there are more job openings than available units. The report concluded that due to the lack of private market response to produce a variety of units, the city and its partners will need to provide incentives and share risk in the production and maintenance of housing.
"It takes us, the community at large, current businesses and businesses looking at us, people moving in and people that have lived here forever. ... that's how we get things done. ...", Ruder said.
The 2025 Hays housing study is available on the city's website.
In other business, a public hearing was conducted with no comment for a $300,000 state Community Development Block Grant request.
Hays developer Tim Speno, One Twenty Seven Investments, plans to rehabilitate the second floor of the 100-year-old building at 1012 Main St. into Airbnb rental units.
There is no financial obligation to the city.