FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
As part of the City’s housing study, the City is asking residents to take a short survey to gather input on aspects of housing that residents feel are most important, preferences for new development and feedback on potential policies or programs.
Residents who attended the June Housing Study Community Meeting completed a similar survey, but the City and consultant APD Urban Planning + Management want to ensure that those who could not attend have the opportunity to weigh in. The direct link to the survey is https://arcg.is/1DHXC90. It can also be accessed at .forwardsgf.com and at springfieldmo.gov/housingstudy.
The survey will remain open until July 28.
APD and the City’s Planning & Development department hosted the second housing study community meeting in June to provide an opportunity for residents to learn the results of APD's "windshield survey" of the city.
Earlier this year, APD drove Springfield neighborhoods with a 360-degree camera, surveying nearly 48,000 housing structures to gather information about housing conditions, age and values; vacant buildings and lots; characteristics of the neighborhoods in each City Council zone; the gap between housing/rental prices and incomes; and the types of housing in Springfield.
Major takeaways
- 92% of housing in Springfield are single family residential.
- The most common multifamily housing type is duplex.
- Multifamily homes are primarily located near Missouri State University.
- 97% of all housing structures are occupied.
- Vacant residential lots can be found in most neighborhoods.
- 77% of all housing is in good condition.
- 21% of all housing structures are in fair to worse condition.
- 44% of all housing structures were built between 1950 and 1970.
- 21% were built between 1980 and 2020.
- 30% were built between 1840 and 1940.
- Housing structures in Zone 1 (northwest quadrant of the city) have a broader range of conditions.
- Attendees of the February housing study community meeting listed townhomes, starter homes, workforce housing and tiny homes as housing types missing from Springfield neighborhoods.
- Attendees of the February community meeting listed the following as strengths of Springfield neighborhoods: neighborhood establishment, community engagement, historic homes, diversity in housing, neighborhood character, accessible/walkable communities, affordable homes, transit-oriented development, quality schools and parks/greenspace.
- Weaknesses were ineffective landlords, unaffordable housing, lack of viable rental housing, lack of variety in housing types, vacant housing, blight and decay, walkability/connectivity, development/preservation.
APD’s full presentation from the June meeting can be viewed from springfieldmo.gov/housingstudy. APD will ultimately provide recommendations on how the City can improve housing metrics through policy changes. Zoning code recommendations could include rules on what type of housing can be built, parking requirements, minimum lot sizes and density restrictions.
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For more information, please contact Cora Scott at 417-380-3352.