Bauer’s bill to increase affordable housing stock signed into law by governor

Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed a bill to increase the affordable housing stock in the state of Indiana into law. Authored by State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend), House Enrolled Act 1627 will give first bid to eligible nonprofits in Indiana on up to 5% of non-homestead, real property parcels, after going through the current tax sale twice, for the specific purpose of rehabbing housing for low- and moderate-income families.

“Our well-established nonprofits and community development corporations are eager to participate in House Enrolled Act 1627, and to get to work providing Hoosiers with safe, stable, and affordable housing,” Bauer said. “I am excited for the opportunity to expand a successful Marion County pilot program statewide, to help communities build up a denser stock of walkable neighborhoods. Through this legislation, we will now be able to address chronically delinquent properties, which contribute to urban blight, by getting them rehabbed for new home ownership and back on the tax rolls.

“Thank you to Habitat for Humanity, Indiana Realtors Association and Prosperity Indiana for testifying in support of this legislation. Your efforts to expand low- and moderate-income-level housing in our communities are so vital to ensuring that every family and household can thrive. This law goes into effect on July 1 of this year.”