Joplin city officials are exploring new avenues to encourage affordable housing development within the community. This exploration comes as city leaders acknowledge that the existing incentives in place have not been enough to adequately address the local housing needs.
During Monday's City Council meeting, Council member Charles Copple initiated the discussion by asking city staff to investigate more aggressive financing and tax incentives. The aim of these potential new measures is to better support developers in constructing new housing or rehabilitating existing properties for lower-income residents in Joplin.
City planner Thomas Walters provided an overview of some existing tools that could be applied to housing projects. These include Chapter 353 redevelopment incentives and limited Chapter 100 sales tax exemptions. However, Walters cautioned against relying solely on traditional tax abatements, stating they are unlikely to resolve the city's broader housing challenges on their own.
Walters also mentioned that previous discussions among city officials had included the possibility of establishing a community development financial institution, known as a CDFI. Such an institution could expand access to financing specifically for housing projects, providing a dedicated resource for developers.
Further demonstrating the city's commitment to addressing housing, officials are currently preparing an update to Joplin's comprehensive plan. This revised plan is expected to incorporate detailed considerations regarding housing needs and development strategies for the coming years.
The urgency for new housing solutions is underscored by recent findings. A 2022 housing study revealed limited rental vacancies across Joplin, reporting that only three of 48 surveyed apartment complexes had available units. More recently, a separate redevelopment study presented on Monday indicated a significant increase in rental costs, estimating that the average apartment rent in Joplin had risen by 10.4% over the past year, reaching approximately $1,009 per month.
Assistant City Manager Tony Robyn confirmed that housing has been identified as a top priority by local housing and community service organizations during a recent regional planning retreat. This consensus from community partners further highlights the critical need for effective housing strategies in Joplin.
In addition to exploring financial incentives, council members requested staff to consider other crucial aspects. These include landlord relationships, tenant concerns, and proactive outreach to potential developers to foster greater investment in affordable housing. Staff members are now expected to conduct further work with community partners before returning to the City Council with a set of recommendations.
No new housing incentive program was formally adopted during Monday's meeting, as the city continues its investigative phase into more effective solutions.
