Hilliard Development News

Hillyard Housing Study Presented: Recommendations to Address Growth and Affordability

The Hillyard City Council Committee of the Whole received a presentation on the Hillyard Housing Study, which analyzes current and projected housing needs, identifies barriers to development, and proposes strategies to address the growing demand for diverse and affordable housing options. The study highlights a projected population increase to 54,000 by 2050, requiring approximately 8,000 new housing units, averaging 350 per year. Key findings indicate that housing prices have outpaced incomes, leading to a significant portion of households being cost-burdened. Barriers identified include restrictive zoning codes, high development economics (land, construction costs, labor shortages, interest rates), infrastructure limitations, and community concerns about affordability. Recommended strategies focus on updating the zoning code, implementing a sliding scale density for 'missing middle' housing, a pre-approved plans program, source of income protection ordinance, density bonuses for affordable units, accessory dwelling units, and a home repair grant program. The council plans to review these recommendations further, with potential adoption of the study and an action plan in the coming months.