The Kendallville City Council this week unanimously approved the allocation of $50,000 to sign on with the Housing Resource Hub to help connect developers to available downtown properties suitable for upper floor housing development.

The funds will be used to help the Hub connect with developers, and explore tools and programs, to help make housing development more affordable and bring units to market more quickly. Kristen Johnson, Kendallville Main Street Manager, noted an abundance of spaces available along historic Main Street in the heart of the city. Between 30 and 40 housing units could be developed in the heart of the city. Kendallville has also been working to allocate $2 million in funding for facade improvements in the historic district, an initiative that has already spurred tremendous activity and enhancements in the historic district. More housing not only meets the county’s strategy to grow the population, it fits with the city’s overall vision for a robust and economically vibrant downtown.

A steering committee of community stakeholders and Hub officials will be formed to begin laying out a vision and goals, to include site selection and other tasks. Once a catalyst site has been identified, the committee will seek to reach an agreement with the property owner, at which point the city will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Hub. Signing on with the Hub will provide the city a greater say in development plans than a typical private agreement.

Kendallville’s $50,000 investment could be refunded as the project takes off, or the council could choose to make the funds part of a matching grant to bring in new housing.