News Flash

City of Springfield News Releases (General)

Posted on: October 27, 2023

City of Springfield releases results of housing study

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

After two public meetings, a public survey and a driving assessment of nearly 48,000 housing structures, City of Springfield Planning & Development staff and APD Urban Planning + Management presented the findings of the Springfield Housing Study and the recommended strategies for stabilizing and improving neighborhoods and housing.

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.

Takeaways

Springfield had a 5% growth in population from 2010 through 2020, with the largest age cohort between 20 and 29. The population of 65+ is projected to increase nearly 25% by 2030.
The median household income is $37,491. The poverty rate is 22%. There is a mismatch between available housing and incomes, and first-time homebuyers are having difficulty affording a home.
Homeownership declined by 17% from 2010 to 2020. The home ownership rate is currently 42%.
92% of housing in Springfield are single family residential. Current residential zoning is a major contributor to a lack of housing diversity.
Some of Springfield’s rental housing stock is substandard.
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.

Community input

74% of those who took the online survey are in favor of regulating rental housing
68% are in favor of new housing types
61% are in favor of housing affordability assistance programs
49% are in favor of new commercial development in neighborhoods
45% are in favor of exterior maintenance programs
44% are in favor of design standards for neighborhoods
40% are in favor of tiny/cottage home developments.

Recommended strategies

Neighborhood stabilization

Increase homeownership rate to 50%+
Expand homeowner education programs
Establish a land bank to acquire/hold properties (Note: This would require a change on the state level).
Encourage employer-assisted housing programs
Land use restrictions
Increase amenities in neighborhoods by renovating/repurposing vacant public buildings/lots; preserving/enhancing retail/service nodes and maintaining/upgrading neighborhood open space.
Increase community retention with adequate stock of starter/affordable homes while preventing gentrification (legacy resident displacement).
Providing property tax relief for seniors/disabled.
Increase neighborhood safety with Neighborhood Watch programs, expanded lead and asbestos remediation programs and code enforcement.

Neighborhood improvement

Increase connectivity by:

Completing trail connection
Building sidewalks in all neighborhoods
Implementing pedestrian/bike safety improvements
Expanding micro-transit options.

Encourage complete neighborhoods with:

increased street tree plantings
Encouraging construction of a wide range of rental housing, including new housing types/sizes in neighborhoods.

Improve aesthetics and desirability with:

Prominently branded neighborhoods and by creating and adopting design standards.

Foster economic development by:

Developing workforce housing
Preserving and building neighborhood retail/service areas
Encouraging diverse housing types in high-opportunity neighborhoods
Offering split-rate taxes.

Improve public safety by:

Installing street lights where missing
Acquiring dilapidated/abandoned buildings
Increasing lighting in public alleys
Offering neighborhood clean-ups and discouraging illegal dumping
Promoting Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to residents.

Housing stabilization

Preserve housing with historic designation/protection, affordable housing preservation inventory, demolishing dilapidated structures.

Improve existing housing quality by:

Expanding/publicizing homeowner rehabilitation programs
Creating a pre-approved pool of contractors
Implementing energy improvement programs
Encouraging participation in Restore SGF Block Challenge Grant Program.

Improve rental housing quality by:

Adopting and funding a rental regulation program, target inspections and code enforcement more effectively, better code enforcement.

Housing improvement

Create funding strategies by:

Establishing lending partnerships, expanding funding for down payment assistance programs.
Expanding funding for rental housing improvements
Expanding and promoting the community land trust.