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Ohio Realtors unveils 'Housing Ohio' toolkit with preapproved plans and zoning guidance
Summary
Ohio Realtors presented a toolkit, 'Housing Ohio Tools for Development,' slated for March 2025 release. The package includes zoning guidance, two free predesigned building plans (single‑family and duplex) and a model for preapproved local plans to speed permitting and lower costs.
Ohio Realtors on Thursday outlined a statewide toolkit intended to help local governments expand housing production and lower development costs.
"We've called it Housing Ohio Tools for Development," Veronica Cardello, assistant vice president of external engagement at Ohio Realtors, told the Senate Committee on Housing. She described three primary components: guidance on zoning adjustments, two free predesigned building plans (a single‑family house and a duplex) and instructions for establishing preapproved local plan programs that expedite permitting.
Andrew Hoffman, assistant vice president of government affairs at Ohio Realtors, framed the toolkit against broad shortages and rising costs. Hoffman said the association represents roughly 36,000 members and cited long‑term underbuilding nationally; he told the committee that Ohio faces a shortage of both affordable rental units and single‑family units and noted the average sales price in 2024 exceeded $291,000.
Cardello said the toolkit is targeted at land banks, nonprofits and small developers and aims to lower soft costs by providing free architectural plans and preapproved designs that can shorten permitting timelines. She gave technical examples — narrow single‑family plans that fit on 30‑foot lots, duplex designs that allow front and rear units with separate entrances, and an optional sleeping porch that adds about 132 square feet where permitted.
Committee members asked about dissemination and local uptake. Cardello said Ohio Realtors had conducted a soft rollout to 31 local associations, held a roadshow with county commissioners and had more than 70 communities signed up to receive updates. Hoffman asked the committee to consider making the materials part of any state housing toolkit or online landing page to broaden access.
Chair Reynolds thanked Ohio Realtors for contributing materials that dovetail with the committee's prior report and said the resources could inform state‑level toolkits and local seminars. The committee did not vote on any action related to the toolkit during the session.
Next steps: Ohio Realtors said materials and plans will be available online at rollout in March 2025; committee staff discussed incorporating the resources into state toolkit efforts.
