The Southern Indiana Housing Resilience Initiative serves as a strategic framework to address housing challenges and support sustainable development in Southern Indiana. This initiative, led by the Southern Indiana Development Commission (SIDC) in partnership with Radius Indiana, Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI), and other key stakeholders, aims to enhance housing resilience by increasing supply, improving affordability, and fostering economic growth in the region.

Purposes and Objectives

Southern Indiana faces a critical need for diverse, attainable, and workforce housing to accommodate growing employment sectors, changing demographics, and community development goals. The initiative seeks to:

• Identify key barriers to housing development in rural and urban communities.

• Provide actionable strategies for local governments, developers, and community organizations.

• Leverage public and private funding sources to support housing investment.

• Promote innovative housing models that align with regional economic and workforce needs.

• Support incremental development strategies to empower small-scale developers in addressing local housing shortages.

Project Summary

Rural areas in Southern Indiana, including Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, and Sullivan Counties, face a mix of housing opportunities and challenges shaped by economic shifts, demographic trends, and infrastructure constraints. While each county has unique characteristics, several overarching themes emerge.

Opportunities exist in the region’s affordability and natural assets. Lower land and housing costs make these areas attractive to families, retirees, and workers seeking affordability without sacrificing quality of life. The strategic location of counties near employment hubs, such as NSA Crane, offers potential for workforce housing developments that can capitalize on commuting patterns and economic growth. Additionally, the region's natural resources and recreational spaces contribute to its appeal.

However, challenges persist, particularly with the aging housing stock. Many homes in counties like Greene and Martin require significant rehabilitation, limiting the availability of move-in-ready options. Housing diversity is another key issue, as single-family homes dominate the market, with limited rental and multifamily housing options to meet the needs of younger households or transient workers. Economic barriers, including high construction costs, limited developer interest, and outdated infrastructure, hinder development activity. A significant barrier to addressing housing needs in Southern Indiana is often insufficient utility infrastructure. Rural areas, including Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, and Sullivan Counties, particularly face challenges such as inadequate water and sewer systems. These infrastructure deficiencies hinder new housing development, especially in areas where extending utilities is cost-prohibitive. Addressing these infrastructure gaps is critical for fostering sustainable housing development and creating communities where residents can live, work, and thrive. Investments in utility upgrades will be essential to supporting housing growth and economic resilience in the region.

Sullivan COUTY HOUSING DATA AND ACTION PLAN

A detailed analysis of the county’s housing market, demographic trends, and economic conditions, offering actionable strategies to address current and future housing needs. Created for the Southern Indiana Housing Resilience Initiative, this Sullivan County plan aims to provide a counterpart to comparable housing studies produced for Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, and Martin Counties as part of the Indiana Uplands Regional Housing Study.

regional land Database for incremental developers

The Regional Land Database for Incremental Developers is a resource designed to support small-scale developers by providing centralized information on land parcel in Southern Indiana that meet designated criteria that make these locations as well-suited for incremental development.

Implementation Toolbox for incremental developers

An in-demand housing prototype catalog, modeled with physical and financial inputs to test feasibility and likeliness of implementation in the local market, to serve as a toolbox for incremental developers.

Strategic Growth analysis for washington

An assessment of housing demand and growth potential for Washington, IN, based on existing infrastructure and services to identify strategic areas for new housing development.

Zoning and Parcel Analysis

An in-depth review of local zoning regulations and parcel availability to identify barriers and opportunities for housing expansion for Washington, IN.

Community Resources (COMING SOON)

This will be a repository for the ongoing community and capacity building of the team.

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