(La Porte, IN) - La Porte needs to add close to two thousand or more new housing units to its current supply of homes built mostly before 1940. That’s according to a recently completed study conducted by Chicago based SB Friedman Development Advisors.
The study, which began last summer, also came up with a framework to guide stakeholders in crafting a plan for addressing the housing needs in the city of about 22,000 residents.
Mayor Tom Dermody, who made new and updating current housing for all income levels a top priority, said a dent has been made in the problem since he took over in 2020 but there’s a lot more work to be done. He said new housing is key to increasing the city’s population and making residents out of people coming here for employment. New members of the local workforce have long commuted from places like Valparaiso and Chesterton or Saint Joseph County after going there to find desired housing because of the fewer options here.
“We have a team that’s ready to work. We have a community that wants to see it. It’ll happen,” he said.
The study proposes adding more than 900 homes for ownership and over 750 rental housing units over the next few years.
Lance Dorn, a partner with the consulting firm, said only 20-percent of the housing stock in La Porte was constructed since 1980 and that’s created other issues in areas like condition and safety.
“Those are impacting neighborhoods really throughout the community but there’s a concentration of that in the downtown area,” Dorn said.
The study also points to a need to renovate existing residential structures.
For quicker results, reaching out to more housing developers, including firms specializing in active senior housing along with workforce and rent-restricted housing for people with special housing needs, is also proposed. Recent successes include the opening of 200 resort type apartments near Clear Lake, ongoing expansion of Whispering Meadows subdivision and complete revamping of a once condemned 40 unit apartment house at 701 Maple Avenue.
Plans are also in the works for building more affordable homes in the near future at the former Tibma Bakery site on Woodward Street and an undeveloped site on 18th Street near Kesling Park.
Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, said construction of more upscale housing should also begin this year beside Beechwood Golf Course.
Cook said he believes the numbers reflect not just a major current need but also what has to be done to achieve Dermody’s goal of raising the population to 30,000 by 2030.
He also believes the amount of new housing the study recommends in a relatively short period time presents a challenge but is attainable especially under the right economic conditions.
“It is a significant goal to try and reach but it’s one we’re positioned for and I think it’s something that’s desperately needed here,” Cook said.
