During a recent government meeting, community members voiced significant concerns regarding housing policies and their impact on affordability in Monroe County. The discussions highlighted a growing crisis as residents struggle to find affordable homes, with some citing a dramatic increase in short-term rentals, referred to as \"zombie houses,\" which reportedly rose by 43% from 2023 to 2024. This trend has led to the conversion of 200 residences into non-occupied rentals, exacerbating the housing shortage.

One resident, Kristen Whydah, an executive director of the local board of realtors, expressed frustration over the current housing market, stating that even she, as an executive-level employee, cannot find a suitable home within her budget. She emphasized that the existing policies are forcing younger generations, including her own children, to leave the community in search of affordable housing elsewhere.

Another speaker, Angela Dowell, shared her family's struggles with housing, noting that her adult children are facing severe challenges in finding adequate living arrangements. Dowell criticized the complexity of the current zoning regulations, which she believes hinder necessary renovations and multigenerational living solutions.

The meeting also touched on the potential changes to zoning definitions, particularly regarding the number of unrelated individuals allowed to live together, with some advocating for maintaining the current limit to prevent unwanted developments in residential areas. Additionally, there were calls for the preservation of agricultural land and a reevaluation of existing Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) that have not yet been built.

Overall, the meeting underscored a pressing need for policy changes to address the housing crisis in Monroe County, as residents urged local officials to consider their voices and the implications of current regulations on community stability and growth.