Handling Housing Hang-Ups

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Since before the pandemic, the City of Zanesville has been burdened by a shortage of available housing.

City of Zanesville Community Development Director Matthew Schley discussed some of the complications regarding the dilemma and explained some of the measures that are being taken to address the problem.  

“We with our partners, the Muskingum County Land Reutilization Corporation or Land Bank, the Port Authority and the Chamber of Commerce came together in 2019 because we saw a problem. Actually we were listening to people and they were saying there’s a problem. So we took the proactive approach to say, what’s going on, where is the housing shortage at and we hired a firm to come in and do what’s called a housing needs assessment,” Schley said.

The assessment proved how bad the housing shortage was across the scope, which forced home buyers into less than preferable outcomes. So the city adjusted zoning regulations to incentivize neighborhood revitalization, which aims to improve existing home values, new home construction and neighborhood vitality, so that homebuyers can be more comfortable with their purchase.     

“I would say in 2030 we will be much further along than we are today,” Schley said. “I think our parks will be in a much better shape. I think that we’re going to have more housing… I know we will have more housing. We’ll have more neighbors in our community. More friends to meet, right? But overall, we’re going to have a better quality of life for people in 2030. And I’d say in 2040 and moving forward that’s the trajectory we’re going to take.”

Housing projects like the Leasure Farms development, as well as the Zane Commons and Munson Crossing apartments are tangible evidence that efforts are being made to improve the quality of living for the residents of Zanesville and Muskingum County.