City updates housing study progress: market‑rate rentals on pace, gaps remain in for‑sale and subsidized units

City staff provided an informational update on Jan. 7 about Marion’s 2022 housing study by Maxfield Research, reviewing progress toward identified housing needs and remaining gaps.

Staff said Marion has met about 43% of its identified market‑rate rental need for the 2022–2030 period; with projects currently in the pipeline, the city could reach roughly 90% of that need if those projects are completed by 2030. For for‑sale single‑family homes (detached, condos and townhomes), staff said the city has achieved about 20% of the identified need; building permits have continued but construction costs and interest rates have slowed starts.

Active‑adult (55+) market‑rate rental supply was reported at about 40% of the identified need; Tulip Tree Apartments was cited as an example of a development that nearly satisfies the city’s active‑adult rental demand. Staff also noted substantial gaps in shallow and deep subsidy housing (about 350 units needed) and in multifamily ‘for‑sale’ product, which is increasingly being delivered as build‑to‑rent projects.

Speakers emphasized affordability, accessibility and diversity of housing stock as ongoing priorities. Staff said some housing types—especially subsidized units and active‑adult ownership and long‑term care options (independent/assisted/memory care)—are financially challenging to deliver and may require public subsidy or partnerships.

No formal council action was recorded; staff said the city will continue to monitor development activity and revisit the study in future updates.