Senate Select Committee on Housing
Zoning Rights of Townships Talking Points
Earlier this year, the Ohio Senate created a new select committee focused on solving the housing shortage in Ohio. The senators assigned to the Senate Select Committee on Housing are Senator Michele Reynolds (Chair), Senator Terry Johnson (Vice Chair), Senator Bill Blessing, Senator Andrew Brenner, and Senator Hearcel Craig. The committee’s purpose is to make recommendations to the legislature to solve the housing shortage, potentially resulting in legislative changes for political subdivisions to help the state achieve development goals.
The committee held traveling hearings around the state and then compiled findings into a report that was released on April 17, 2024.
On September 26, OTA Executive Director Heidi M. Fought testified before the committee opposing the idea that statewide zoning is the best solution for the housing crisis. She identified housing barriers such as the drastic increases in home affordability, inflation, and outdated building codes. She shared was the efforts made by the OTA to encourage development such as financial aid for communities to update comprehensive land use plans, a request to alter the way water and sewer services are provided to Ohioans, and additional economic development tools be given to townships. View this testimony below.
If you have any questions, please contact Kyle Brooks at 614-863-0045 for more information.
See links below for more information on the Ohio Legislature's website, such as proponent and opponent testimonies, a summary of the bill, and more.
Senate Select Committee on Housing
OTA Senate Housing Committee Testimony
Watch the OTA's opponent testimony from the September 26, 2023, Senate Select Committee hearing on Housing below. If the video does not load, click here to view the video on the Ohio Channel.