‘Hot Topics’ forum centers on significant Willmar area housing challenges – West

WILLMAR

— Since 2018, there have been around 600 housing units developed in Willmar, most of them in multi-unit complexes dotted across the city. While the influx of apartments has been welcome, according to the housing study completed for the

Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission

last year, the city will need an additional 1,580 units of various types and costs between now and 2030. Another 950 will be needed outside of Willmar.

“Sources of housing demand stem from several things — household growth, pent up rental demand, capturing a portion of commuters working in Willmar and senior housing needs,” said Aaron Backman, executive director of the EDC, at the Nov. 15 League of Women Voters of the Willmar Area Hot Topics discussion.

Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune

To meet that need, local governments, businesses, nonprofits and even regular citizens will have to start thinking differently when it comes to housing and find innovative ways to make development possible and successful.

“We need to do some things that are bold and out of the box,” said Kandiyohi County Commissioner Steve Gardner. “We need more and better ideas than what we are accustomed to. Doing business as usual isn’t going to work for us any more in housing.”

Backman, Gardner and

Kandiyohi County Housing and Redevelopment Authority

Director Jill Bengtson were invited by the League of Women Voters to speak about housing challenges in the county — and what is currently being done to help mitigate those issues, in addition to potential solutions.

“This is truly a hot topic,” said Jan Dahl, League of Women Voters member.

One major question is just what kind of housing is required. The answer is all sorts.

The largest need, according to the housing study, is going to be senior housing consisting of independent living, assisted living, memory care and 55-plus rentals. By 2030, Willmar is projected to need another 615 senior housing units of various kinds.

“Forty-one percent of what we need is senior housing,” Backman said. “We better pay attention to that.”

The city and greater Kandiyohi County will also need a mix of single-family and townhomes to purchase, as well as rental units of both the affordable and market-rate variety.

Once you know the kind of the housing you need, the next big step is constructing it.

Over the last few years, Kandiyohi County and Willmar have had some success in enticing, developing and constructing new housing, but the need…