Remember when the "American Dream" comprised 2-point-4 children, a couple of nice vehicles, and, most importantly, a HOUSE with a manicured lawn encircled by a White picket fence?

I don't know about the kids OR the cars, but, THESE days, a large and GROWING segment of the American public would be hard-pressed to AFFORD the picket fence -- much LESS the house.

Worse still, a hefty percentage of those who DO take the leap into home ownership end up getting IMPALED -- financially speaking -- on that fence that ONCE seemed so alluring.

Hi, I'm Jon Schwantes, and on this week's show, we'll bring home the issue of affordable housing in Indiana -- or, more accurately, the LACK thereof.

What's the PROBLEM?

Post-pandemic inflation?

Inadequate public infrastructure?

Burdensome regulation?

Labor shortages?

Soaring mortgage rates?

The short answer: YES.

INDIANA LAWMAKERS, from the Statehouse to YOUR house.

IF, that is, you're lucky enough to HAVE one.

You don't have to look HARD to find evidence of a HOUSING crisis -- here in Indiana OR across the country.

According to Pew Research, roughly HALF of all Americans report that a shortage of affordable housing is a "MAJOR PROBLEM" where they live, and more than TWO-THIRDS say today's young adults are FAR less able than their PARENTS 'generation to BUY a home.

...

Things are even WORSE for renters, ESPECIALLY those stuck on the lower rungs of the economic ladder.

A recent report from Prosperity Indiana suggests that 61 percent of Hoosiers in "low-income households" spend more than HALF of their income on RENT, leaving LITTLE for food and other necessities.

...

Joining me to talk about what can be done to IMPROVE the situation are ...Republican Representative Doug Miller of Elkhart, co-chair of the Indiana Housing Task Force, which issued 16 recommendations prior to this year's session ... Democratic Senator Eddie Melton of Gary, who has made "affordable, sustainable housing" a CORNERSTONE of his current campaign for MAYOR in his hometown ...Jacob Sipe, executive director of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, which works with developers, lenders, investors, and nonprofits to AID low- and moderate-income Hoosiers ...and Rick Wajda, chief executive officer of the Indiana Builders Association, a statewide trade group representing some 3,000 homebuilders And remodelers.

>>> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

DOUG MILLER LET ME START WITH YOU: WE TAKE ABOUT THE TASK FORCE YOU COCHAIRED.

THE FIRST MEETING BACK IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR YOU MADE A COMMENCEMENT THAT GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION AND IT WAS PRETTY PROFOUND AND YOU SAY IT WAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS NO LONGER AFFORDABLE.

>> THAT'S A TRUE STATEMENT.

>> WILL BE RATE ON IS THAT, WHAT DID YOU MEAN AND HOW DID WE GET THERE?

>> SO WE'RE ON THE AT A CONFLUENCE OF A LOT OF DIFFERENT DIFFERENT EVENTS, OTHER THE COURSE OF SOMETIME ESPECIALLY SINCE 2000 WE HAVE SEEN WORKFORCE SHRINK, WE HAVE SEEN A BANKING CRISIS THAT HOUSING GOT TRAPPED IN THE MIDDLE.

WE HAVE SEEN INCOME GROWTH STAGNATE TO SOME POINT AND WE'VE SEEN THE COST OF LITERALLY EVERYTHING IS THAT WE WANT TO PURCHASE AS CONSUMERS GO UP.

SO IT HAS LITERALLY STRETCHED THE BUDGET OF EVERY AMERICAN, AND SPECIFICALLY HOOSIERS AND SO WHAT WE WERE TASKED TO DO IS TAKE A LOOK AT IF COMMUNITIES AND THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY WORK TOGETHER HOW COULD WE START FILLING A NICHE THAT HAS BEEN PRICED OUT OF THE MARKET FOR A LONG TIME.

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THIS CONVERGE EDGES OF EVENTS YOU TALK ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS, TIN FACILITATION THEIR 41S, NETS AND THOSE ARE ALL EITHER GLOBAL ISSUES OR LOCAL ISSUES.

IS INDIANA BETTER OR WORSE OFF IN YOUR OPINION?

>> THAT'S ONE REASON THAT I WAS THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO BE A COCHAIR ON THE IT'S THE TASK FORCE AND HAVE OTHER MEMBERS FROM THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ON THE TASK FORCE.

I THINK INDIANA IS A GREAT PLACE TO HEAD THE PROBLEM HEAD-ON.

WE'RE GROWING JOBS AT A PHENOMENAL RATE.

WE'RE HAVING OUTSIDE INVESTMENT COME IN AND MAKE PERMANENTS HOMES AT A PHENOMENAL RATE.

OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND QUALITY OF LIFE IS DEVELOPING FASTER THAN MANY STATES ARENATIONS, WE VIRTUALLY LEAD THE MIDWEST BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE US IMMUNE FROM IS IT PROBLEM.

WE HAVE MORE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO US TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

>> EDDY MELTON, ELKHART AND DAIRY GARY COULD BE LIGHT YEARS PERMANENT NORTH AMERICAN OF THE CHANNEL CHANGE THEY FACE WITH WORK FORCE GROWTH AND VARIOUS ECONOMIC FACTORSES.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE DO YOU SEE THAT INDIANA HAS A HOUSE HANDGUNING CRISIS?

>> I BELIEVE SO, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE 8:00ING FROM THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE STATE I'VE SEEN VARIOUS FORMS OF HOUSING INEQUITY IN TERMS OF A LOT OF BLIGHT AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE MANY IN FILLED HOUSING BUT AT OUR HEIGHT AT 175,000 PEOPLE, THE MOST REPEAT SEND CENSUS WE HAVE 69,000 SO MANY MAKE SURE WE HAVE OPPORTUNITYIES FOR STUDENTS AND TRYING TO BE MORE DIVERSE IN OUR OPTIONS AND PROVIDE THAT FOR INDIVIDUALS LOOKING TO STAY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO RETAIN OUR POPULATION AND ALSO RECRUIT INDIVIDUALS.

BEING VERY CLOSE TO CHICAGO, WE LOOK AT OPPORTUNITIES WITH TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT AND THE SHORELINE THAT THE LEGISLATURE PA PATHED I THINK WE HAVE THE 2 TO BUILD ON A LOT OF SUCCESS.

>> YOU POINT OUT THAT AS THE POPULATION IN YOUR HOME HOMETOWN HAS SHRUNK, YES SOME OF THE HOUSES HAVE DISAPPEARED BUT THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF VACANT PROPERTIES, SO IS THIS THE ANSWER AROUND BILLION NEW OR OR FIGURING OUT A WAY TO RESURRECT EXISTING HOUSING KNOCK.

>> BOTH, WE HAVE OVER6,000 ABANDONED HOMES AND WE KNOW THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC A LOT OF RESIDENTS INVESTED THEIR OWN DOLLARS ON PURCHASES THESE PROPERTIES AND REHABBING THEM AND PUTTING THEM BACK ON THE TACK ROLE AS EITHER RENTAL PROPERTIES OR WHATEVER BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LARGE SWATHS OF LAND WE HAVE, THE SCHOOL CORMS ARE THE LARGEST LAND HOLDERS AND THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BEST USE THIS LAND AND LOOKING AT HOUSING IS ONE OF THOSE ELEMENTS.

>> JAKE SIPE YOU'VE BEEN AT THIS BUSINESS A COUPLE DECADES SO YOU'VE SEEN THE CHANGE.

YOU SAW THE DAYS BEFORE THIS CONFLUENCE OF EVENTS THAT REPRESENTATIVE MELLER ALLUDED TO, SO I'M INTERESTED IN YOUR TALK ABOUT ON WHAT I SEE SPELLEDDED THE CURRENT SITUATION AND THERE ARE A LOT OF IS IT STATISTICS, AND A LOT OF THEM BECOME NUMB BUT YOU'VE CITED ONE THAT SEEMS TO RESONATE WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE AND THAT IS FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN HOUSEHOLDS WITH UNDER 50,000-DOLLARS ANNUAL INCOME JUST TO GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE AS A STATE YOUR ESTIMATES IS 420,000 NEW UNITS WHICH IS A LOT OF UNITES.

>> IT IS A LOT OF UNITS BUT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE AN AGING HOUSING STOCK.

45 PERCENT OF OUR STOCK IN OUR STATE WAS BUILT PRIOR TO 1970 SO WE ALSO NEED TO THINK ABOUT NOT ONLY CREATING NEW HEAT @ADVISORYING BUT PRESERVING OUR EXISTING STOCK AND THAT GOES FOR BOTH HOME OWNERSHIP AND RENTAL.

>> WHICH IS -- IT'S A BLENDS MATERIALLY BETTER ECONOMICALLY THAN THE OTHER?

YOU HAVE LEAD, ASBESTOS, DOES THAT MAKE IT COST PROHIBITIVE?

>> NO, I THINK WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS VOLUME OF EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PRESERVE.

>> WHERE IS THAT THOUGH?

APPARENTLY IT'S -- >> THE NEED IS WE CONTINUE TO CREATE JOBS AND HOWEVER OUR HOUSING IS NOT KEEPING PACE WITH THOSE JOB CREATION SO FOR EVERY 100 JOBBEDS CREATED WE'RE CREATING 45 NEW UNITS AND THE IT HAS CREATEDDED THIS WIDEN GAP THAT WE NEED TO FILL IN TERMS OF NEW HOME BUT WE CAN'T LOSE THE FOCUS ON THE NEED TO PRESERVE OUR CUSTODYING HOUSING.

>> YOUR ORGANIZATION, THE DEMAND IS THERE, PEOPLE WANT HOUSES, THE ONLY STRUGGLE IS YOU'RE NOT MOTIVATING PEOPLE TO WANT TO OWN HOMES IT'S JUST GETTING FROM POINT A TO.B FINANCIALLY.

WHAT DOG DO YOU HAVE IN THIS FIGHT?

WHY ISN'T EVERYBODY SMILING?

>> IT'S A GREAT POINT AND ROUGHLY 3,000 MEMBERS ACROSS THE STATE OF INDIANA BUT THAT NUMBER WAS OVER 7,000 MESH COMPANIES IN THE EARLY 2000S SO THE CONTRACTION OF THE INDUSTRY IN THE LAST GREAT RECESSION AND IN THE MID 2000S A LOT OF BUILDERS, A LOT OF SUPPLIERS LEFT THE BUSINESS AND HAVEN'T COME BACK DUE TO RETIRING OUT OF THE WORK FORCE OR THEY MOVED INTO A DIFFERENT OCCUPATION AND EC, WE HAVEN'T SEEN THOSE NUMBERS COME BACK.

AND THERE'S BEEN SOME PSYCHOLOGIST CONSOLIDATION, SO EARLY TO MID 2000S THERE WAS 3,000 SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES BUILT THIS THE STATE OF INDIANA EVERY YEAR, THAT NUMBER DROPPED TO UNDER 10,000 COMING OUT OF THE RECESSION AND WE REMEMBER JUST GETTING BACK TO A NUMBER THAT WAS SUSTAINABLE IN INDIANA.

WE EXPECT A HEALTHY HOUSING MARK, ABOUT 18 TO 22,000 SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES BEING BUILT EVERY YEAR SO WE SPENT A DECADE PLUS OF NOT MEETING DEMAND AND THEN THE PANDEMIC HITS AND NOW WE'RE COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, AND THIS WAS ARE SLOWED BECAUSE OF MORTGAGE RATES HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED IN THE LAST YEAR, PLUS.

SO IT'S SQUEEZING OUT OF A LOT OF POTENTIAL HOOSIERS FROM QUALIFYING FOR A MORTGAGE.

>> GIVEN THE REDUCTION FROM 7,000 TO 3,000 THAT SUGGESTS THERE'S BEEN A CONTRACTION, SO IN LIGHT OF THAT WHAT IS THE GUARANTEE THAT IF ALL THE REFORMS WERE ENACTED AND THE MONEY WERE TO FLOW AND PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO HOMES, OWNERSHIP BEFORE MIGHT NOW SEE THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY OPEN, ARE YOU EVEN CAPABLE OF ERECTING THESE HOME?

ARE THERE ENOUGH CRAFTS PEOPLE TO PUT THESE THINGS UP?

>> JOHN THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION AND WE'RE HOPEFUL THE DEMAND AND THE WORKFORCE WILL BE THERE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPLY TO HOUSING THAT IS NEEDED IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

WE HAVE CHANNELS JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER STATE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS THE BABY BOOMER POPULATION IS AGING OUT OF THE WORK FORCE AND DO WE HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS TO COME BACK IN ON THE FRONT END TO BUILD HOUSES TO BUILD SEWER, WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS THERE'S GOING TO BE COMPETITION AT EVERY OCCUPYING LEVEL AND IF WE SHALL CHOSE THAT YOUNG WORKER IN THE STATE OF INDIANA IS THAT THERE'S OPPORTUNITY LONG-TERM TO BUILD YOUR CAREER, THE WORKERS WILL COME.

AND FRANKLY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK TO STATES AROUND US IN THE MID WEST AND ON THE COAST AND SAY INDIANA IS A GOOD PLACE TO COME AND WORK AND LOOK WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT IS DOING TO PROVIDE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> PAYING THOSE WORKERS MORE TO LURE THEM HERE WHICH RAISES PRICEs.

WHICH IS ANOTHER CHALLENGE, IT'S A CYCLICAL ISSUE, YOUR CAULKERS HAS CAUCUS HAS A SUPERMAJORITY AND THE TALK A ABOUT SMALL GOVERNMENT, MARKET FORCES THAT'S WHAT MADE AMERICA, WE DON'T PICK WINNERS AND LOSERS, WE OFTEN HEAR THAT.

WHY DON'T WE SAY THE ECONOMY WILL FIX THIS, THE MARKET FORCES WILL FIX ITS.

BUILDERS WILL RUSH TO MEET DEMAND IF IT'S REALLY THERE.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT THEORY IS?

>> THE TASK FORCE LOOK AT HOW DOES THE MARKET SOME THE PROBLEM, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME OUT OF THE TASK FORCE THE RECOMMENDATIONS ACTUALLY CENTERED AROUND GOVERNMENT GETTING IN THE WAY OF LETTING THE MARKET DRIVE THE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM.

SO THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTUALLY 1005 HAD PROVISIONS IN IT THAT ENCOURAGE LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ZONING, ABOUT ALLOWING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, TO ALLOW MOD LASH HOUSING -- >> SO MORE IF YOU RECOGNIZE AND MORE OF IT.

>> RELAXING DEVELOPMENTAL STANDARDS TO PULL THOSE COSTS DOWN AND A FOR INSTANCE WOULD BE THAT THREE YEARS AGO WHILE WORKING ON LEGISLATION DESIGNING IT, MOVING THE ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS ASIDE, OR AT LEAST ENCOURAGING DISCUSSIONS, ONE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES AT THED THAT THEY WOULD MAKE IT MANDATORY TO PUT FOUR INCHES OF BLACK DIRT OVER OVER THE ENTIRE PROPERTY ON NEW CONSTRUCTION AND IT RAISEs THE PRICE OF THE ACTUAL PROJECT BY 5,000-DOLLARS.

NATIONAL HOME BUILDERS FOR THE IS STATE OF INDIANA HAS PRODUCED DATA THAT FOR EVERY THOUSAND DOLLARS YOU RAISE OR LOWER THE PRICE OF A HOME, IT TAKES 3,200 BUYERS OF THE MARKET.

SO YOU CAN SEE HOW PRICE SENSITIVE THE MARKET IS, SO REALLY 1005 AND THE PROVISIONS CAN THE GUIDELINES IS DESIGNED TOE EVERYONE COURAGE THOSE CONSULTATION DISCUSSIONS TO THE LOCAL LEVEL AND AS A MAYOR IF HE GETS CREATIVE IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO NOT ONLY REBUILD HIS INFRASTRUCTURE BUT REHAB THE PROPERTIES THAT HERE'S TALKING AROUND.

>> OF COURSE TEST NOT ALL ABOUT GETTING GOV OFF THE WAY, MOST OF THEY WILL WERE PLEADING WITH GOVERNMENT TO GET MORE INVOLVED IN TERMS OF CREATING SEED MONEY OR INCENTIVIZING TAX PAYERS AND GIVING THEM MORE GOVERNMENTAL INDUCE.

S SO -- >> I WOULD SAY YES BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE ACT THAT IT'S A REVOLVING 11 FUND, THE MONEYS ARE GOING TO BE PAID BACK -- >> THE IDEA IS THE COMMUNITY COULD HELP PUT IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SIDEWALKS AND ALL THAT -- A BUILDER MIGHT HAVE HAD TO ABSORB BEFORE.

>> CORRECT AND IT'S A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN INDIANA.

THINGSN'T A ONE SHOT DEAL, THIS IS A LONG-TERM PLAN TO PROVIDE FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH TO HELP MEET A DEMAND THAT HAS COUPLED OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

>> EDDY MELTON IS GOVERNMENT THE SOLUTION?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S A PROBLEM, I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY WE MUST SEIZE UPON AND WOE LOOK AT INDIANA AS A STRONG FISCAL STATE, WE JUST HAD THE FISCAL FORECAST, WE'RE GOING TO BE IN STRONG POSITION AGAIN AS USUAL, BUT AS OTHER STATES SEE THAT, THAT GROWTH CAN OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE TO START TELLING THE STORY AROUND THE COUNTRY AND LET FOLKS KNOW WE'RE IN A GOOD POSITION, AND ESPECIALLY FOR MY PART OF THE STATE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT TAXES IN CHICAGO ARE HIGH, FOLKS HAVE BEEN RELOCATING LOOKING FOR.

THES, WANT TO BE AROUND THE LAKE FRONT BUT WITH IF WE DON'T TELL OUR STORY AND JUST NOT CENTRAL INDIANA, BUT NORTHWEST INDIANA AND NORTHEAST INDIANA I'M SURE THEY'RE LOOKING TO SEE HOW WE CAN TELL OUR STORY, OUR ECONOMY IS STRONG AND THIS IS THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY.

>> YOU GET OUTSIDE THE DONUT COUNTIES AND THE LAND ACTUALLY KEEPS GOING.

JAKE SIPE WHAT'S THE ANSWER HERE?

YOU HAVE THE FINANCE AUTHORITY CERTAINLY IS SORT OF THE FISCAL OIL IN THE MACHINERY OR MAYBE THE CATALYST BUT WHAT'S THE ONE THING YOU WOULD WANT TO SEE COME OUT OF THIS SESSION?

>> I'M GLAD WE'RE HAVING THE REVOLVING LOAN FUND, SPECIFICALLY FOR PROVIDING HOUSE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR LOW AND MODERATE WORK FAMILIES AND ALSO INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE A DISABILITY, SO WE NEED TO OWN SURE WE HAVE THAT STAGE HOUSING THAT'S SAFE AND AFFORDABLE FOR OUR WORKFORCE BUT ALSO OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION.

>> THAT LEND FUND IT'S NOT INDIANAPOLIS SEWN CENTRIC, 70 PERCENT OF IT% WOULD GO TO COMMUNITIES WITH FEWER THAN 50,000 PEOPLE AND PRESUMABLY SINCE YOUR FOCUSER HAS BEEN LOW AND MODERATE INCOME ANYONE INDIVIDUALS YOU'RE THE TALKING ABOUT MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGS.

>> FOR THE MOST PART I THINK A BALANCED APPROACH OF RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP, OUR AGENCY DOES PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE WORKFORCE HOUSING IT IS DRIVING OUR HOUSING MARKET AND THOSE ARE INCOMES BETWEEN 100 TO 75,000-DOLLAR A YEAR, THOSE HOME BUYERS ARE REALLY DRIVING OUR HOUSING MARKET.

WE NEED PRICE POINTS AT THOSE INCOME LEVELS WHICH IS WHERE WE'RE HAVING THE CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW FOR THAT FIRST TIME HOME BUYER TO BUY A HOME AT 170 TO $230,000 WHICH ARE VERY RARE WHEN YOU CAN BUILT THEM AT THAT LEVEL.

HOPEFULLY A REVOLVING LOAN FUND THAT CAN REDUCE THE COST FOR OUR BUILDERS AND DRIVE THE PRICES DOWN AND MAKE THEM MORE AFFORDABLE FOR HOPEFUL BUYERS.

>> AND I WANT TO COMMEND REPRESENTATIVE MILLER AND SENATOR ROGERS OR THEIR WORK.

>> COCHAIR ON THE TASK FORCE.

>> I DID HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE 50,000 MARK, I DIDN'T WANT IT TO RULE OUT CITIES LIKE GARY AND OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT MAY NOT BE FIRST CLASS LIKE INDIANAPOLIS BUT WE STILL ARE A RURAL COMMUNITY WITH A POPULATION OF 50,000 AND MORE, I THINK THERE ARE ELEMENTS IN THERE THAT MAY HELP THAT CONVERSATION MOVING FORWARD BUT SOMETHING I WANTED TO TOUCH ON IN TERMS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION.

IN OUR AREA WE HAVE A VERY AGING POPULATION, SENIORS -- WE HAVE A GROWING SENIOR POPULATION AND JUST WE'RE VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE.

RIGHT NOW SENIORS IN GARY IS HIGH-RISE LOCATIONS CAN THAT'S NOT COMPATIBLE FOR A LIFESTYLE OR ACCESS TO ADEQUATE THE TRANSPORTATION, SO QUALITY OF LIFE IS IMPORTANT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HOUSING NOT JUST FOR SENIORS BUT MILLENNIALS.

>> I WANT TO ASK AGAIN, MAYBE THERE IS NO ONE PANACEA BUT IF WE TAKE A LOOK UP A COLLECTION AND GAVE YOU A THOUSAND ACRES, AND SAID YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD AN AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE SOLUTION.

>> I THINK BRINGING HOUSING TO THE COMMUNITY AT MULTIPLE PRICE POINTS.

>> ANY SIDING YOU WANT, ANY ROOF PITCH, NO BLACK DIRT.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO BUILD THE PRODUCT TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS AND ULTIMATELY WE'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF BUILDING AND SELLING HOMES.

CUBAN CONSUMERS TODAY REASONABLE THE SAME AS CONSUMERS 20 YEARS AGO, THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION THAT IS MOVING INTO THE HOME BUYING PROCESS RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK, A LOT OF THEM, THEIR PREFERENCE IS THEY STILL WANT TO BE HOME OWNERS BUT THEY DON'T WANT LARGE LOTS ON A CUL-DE-SAC, THEY WANT ACCESS TO WALKING, TO AMENITY, THEY WANT A COFFEE SHOP OR A GROCERY STORE WHERE THEY CAN WALK A BLOCK OR TWOFUL SOUNDS SIMILAR TO THE WAY OUR PARENTS GREW UP IN THE CITIES WHERE ON THE CORNERS WAS THE GROCERY STORE OR THE BUTCHER OR THE BAKERY AND THEN THE JOBS WERE ONLY A COUPLE BLOCK AWAY.

NOW WITH RIGHT COMMUTING, MINIMIZE, MAYBE TO A CERTAIN I WANT ACCIDENTAL PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME WE'RE GOING BACK TO MAYBE THE WAY COMMUNITIES WERE BUILT IN THE 50S AND 60s.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DOES THIS ISSUE -- OBVIOUSLY I THINK THE REVOLVING LOAN FUND IS A DONE DEAL.

SOME OF THE OTHER MORE THANS THAT WERE DESIGNED TO PERHAPS EMPOWER RENTERS, ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH UNSCRUPULOUS OUT OF STATE OWNERS AND INVESTORS AND LANDLORDS THERE HAND BEEN AS MUCH ENTHUSIASM THERE WHICH I GUESS IS ANOTHER DISCUSSION, BUT DOES THIS ISSUE -- I MEAN, DO WE TAKE A PAUSE AFTER THIS SESSION OR IS THIS ONE OF THOSE THINGS LIKE EGG REFORM, GO AHEAD AND CARVE OUT A FEW COMMITTEE HEARINGS BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN.

>> THE BROAD ISSUE OF HOUSING I THINK WE'LL ALL HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW INTENSE IT WILL BE MOVING FORWARD TEMPERATURE THING THAT EXCITES ME MOST IS THERE ARE GOING TO BE MELT RISK BUILT IN AND I THINK FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS WE NEED TO BE ABLE TOLUIC AT THE MOLT RISK AND SAY THIS PART OF THE PROCESS IS WORK OR THIS PART OF THE PROCESS IS NOT.

WHERE WILL TO OTHER ISSUES THAT EXIST IN HOUSING I DON'T BELIEVE SO LOOK AT OUR WORK IS DONE WITH RESPECT TO THOSE.

>> WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME BUT DO YOU SENSE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- SOME BILLS SEEM TO GO FASTER THAN OTHERS AND THOSE THAT AID TRADITIONAL HOME BUYERS SEEM TO GO FASTER THAN RENTERS ENTHUSIASM A FAIR ASSESSMENT AND IF SO WHY?

>> I THINK WE HAVE HAD LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AND WE DID OUR BEST TO GET THOSE BILLS MOVING BUT THERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE DOWN THE ROAD THAT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND THAT MAY BE OUTSIDE THE BUILDER'S CONVERSATION BUT FAIR LENDING PRACTICES AND MAKE AING SURE THERE'S EQUITABLE STATE YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME FOR THE RECORDS FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR TO HAVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND MAKE SURE THEY CAN HAVE A PIECE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM OF BUYING THEIR FIRST HOME.

WE KNOW THERE'S A HISTORY OF RED LINING AND OTHER DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES BUT AS BANKS LOOK TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE IN THEIR GIVING I THINK WE HAVE TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL IN HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

>> TIME LIES AND I HAVE TO ASK ABOUT THE SHINGLE THAT WON'T STAY ON MY ROOF.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND I APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERTISE.

Again, my guests have been Republican Representative Doug Miller of Elkhart, democratic Senator Eddie Melton of Gary, Jacob Sipe of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, and Rick Wajda of the Indiana Builders Association.

>>> AND THE TIME NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY CONVERSATION WITH INDIANA LAWMAKERS ANALYST ED FEIGENBAUM, PUBLISHER OF THE NEWS LETTER INDIANA LEGISLATIVE INSIGHT, PART OF HANNAH NEWS SERVICE.

.ED, WHAT DID WE NOT TALK ABOUT DURING THE ROUND TABLE?

>> YOU COVERED A LOT OF THINGS BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS HOW INTERCONNECTED ALL THIS IS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN FOR HOUSING AND YOU HAVE THE STATE INVOLVED AND WE HAVE THE HOUSE REVOLVING FUND AND YOU HAVE THE STATE INVOLVED IN REGULATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT CAN TELLING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHAT TO DO.

>> SUGGESTING THEY WOULD SAY.

>> YES AND YOU ALSO HAVE REGIONAL ISSUES INVOLVED HERE BECAUSE FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU'VE GOT SOME KIND OF NEED FOR EMPLOYMENT IN ONE COUNTY YOU HAVE TO A WAY TO GET PEOPLE TO THAT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT AND THAT MAY MEAN MASS TRACK SIT BUT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH REGULATION, FOR EXAMPLE REQUIREMENTS THAT HOPES HAVE BRICK OR THAT YOU DEDICATE AS A BUILDER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF ACRES FOR PARKS OR RIGHTS OF WAY SO ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS.

>> YOU ASKED DOUG MILLER ABOUT WHETHER THIS TAKE CARE OF IT OR COME BACK A SESSION.

>> IT'S NOT JUST A LETTIVE THING EITHER.

>> WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOOK AT.

>> WE'RE IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE INDECENT LIBERTY TIME AND THERE SHALL A D -- WE HAVE THE ALCOHOL ISSUE THAT'S CAN BACK UP AND WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER YOU CAN SELD SELL COLD ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND MIXED DRINKS AND OBVIOUSLY EDUCATION BILLS ARE STILL BIG AND THEN YOU HAVE DIFFERENT TAX RELIEF PROPOSALS.

YOU HAVE PROPOSALS FROM HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO ACCELERATE THE INCOME TAX CUTS AND YOU HAVE THE HOUSE RESEARCHES PUSHING FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF WHICH RELATES TO WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> PROVING YOUR POINT THAT THAT'S ALL TIED TOGETHER.

>> AND WE'RE HEARING IN MAYORAL RAISES OF CANDIDATES SAYING WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES SO THAT SENIOR STATE YOUR FULL NAMES CAN STAY IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> ANY LAST MINUTE PRICE SURPRISEs, GAME CAME OUT OF NOWHERE, ARE ALL THE CARDS ON THE TABLE?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

ONE THING YOU MIGHT WANT THE WATCH, THAT BIG BUDGET BILL IS LANGUAGE FOR AN I-LOTTERY.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE, ED AS ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHT.

>> WHAT'S GREW BREWING AT THE STATEHOUSE?

THE QUESTION OF WHERE AND HOW TO GET A COLD ONE IS HEATING UP ON THE NEXT INDIANA LAWMAKERS.

ON BEHALF OF COMMENTATORS ED FEIGENBAUM I THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND I VIE YOU TO