Franklin County commissioners adopt 2026–2030 Housing Action Plan, set near‑term funding steps

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt Resolution 5‑3026, approving the Franklin County Housing Action Plan for 2026–2030. Commissioner Crowley moved for approval; the motion was seconded and recorded votes from Commissioners Crowley, Boyce and O'Grady were all 'yes,' after which the clerk announced the resolution had been adopted.

The county's chief of economic innovation and development presented the plan to commissioners, saying the document is intended as a "living, breathing" roadmap to confront what the chief described as "significant housing challenges, including increasing housing costs, limited affordable housing supply, barriers to homeownership, and housing instability affecting residents across the county." The presentation identified priorities to expand the supply of affordable housing, preserve existing units, promote equitable homeownership, and support renter stability through coordinated public, private and nonprofit partnerships.

Commissioner Crowley asked how the county would ensure the plan leads to action rather than becoming a report that "collects dust." In response, the chief said implementation is divided into three phases and that several pieces are already underway, including work to reestablish a small predevelopment and acquisition fund (referred to in the meeting as the housing opportunity fund) with new eligibility criteria for local needs. "So many parts of the planning process... are already moving," the chief said, urging the board to authorize the plan so staff can accelerate implementation.

Kenneth Wilson, the county administrator, echoed the action-oriented approach but cautioned that progress would be shaped by available funding. "When we roll this plan out, 1 of the things I said is we plan to do stuff," Wilson said, adding that the county's ability to act will depend in part on conveyance fee receipts that fund the affordable housing and emergency shelter fund. Wilson told commissioners that staff and partners, including the housing authority (HRA) and the affordable housing trust, are preparing a predevelopment pilot fund resolution and expect to return with it to the board in about a month, with an anticipated August consideration.

By adopting Resolution 5‑3026, the board authorized the county administrator to approve and adopt the Housing Action Plan 2026–2030. The plan's near‑term steps, funding notes and a pilot predevelopment fund will be brought back to the board for formal consideration as staff develops implementation details.