A bill authored by Representative Maureen Bauer of South Bend to increase affordable housing development in St. Joseph County passed out of the House of Representatives by a vote of 96-1.
The bill would allow eligible nonprofits in St. Joseph County to bid on up to 5% of non-homestead, real property parcels at the current tax sale for the specific development of low-and-moderate-income housing.
Bauer says by allowing first bid to local nonprofits, they’re addressing the shortage of affordable housing, while also getting chronically delinquent properties that have gone through the tax sale twice, back on the tax roll.
Organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Near Northwest Neighborhood, who both testified in support of the legislation, would be supported in their efforts to build up the housing inventory.
2 comments
To be clear, this isn’t allowing the nonprofits to bid, it’s allowing them first bid – letting them have the parcels at less than market value.
Nonprofits are fine, but the government should not be subsidizing them.
I like how in South Bend they conned the people to vote yes in that referendum for scool taxes. $250,000,000 TO SBSC jacking the taxes up claiming it wasn’t going to cost people much. Wonder why there isn’t affordable housing? Taxes. Now my tax bill went up over $800 WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE WENT DOWN OVER $1000. The school system here is a joke. Full of scam artists and money wasters.