Hancock County’s Housing Riptide
The success of Hancock County is something we all take great pride in. We are a community known for our economic development and collaborative spirit. Yet, beneath this commendable progress, we are facing a significant challenge: a housing crisis that is pulling many of our friends, families and neighbors under. The evidence is clear. A recent housing study, which our Foundation helped fund, reveals that lower- to middle-income families are struggling due to the severe lack of available and affordable homes, both for rent and for sale.
This isn't just a matter of inconvenience; it’s a critical issue impacting the lives of our neighbors. The study found that our community's housing availability is at record lows, with a vacancy rate of 1% or less. This shortage is leading to real hardships for our neighbors. Many working households, for instance, are paying between 30% and 50% of their income toward housing costs, sometimes having to choose between paying rent and buying necessities like food and medicine.
We are seeing a higher-than-average share of "cost-burdened" households in our county, particularly for those earning less than $19,000 per year. When families are drowning financially from housing costs, it creates a ripple effect, impacting their ability to afford childcare or even reliable transportation, which in turn greatly affects our local workforce.
The dream of homeownership, a cornerstone of stability, is becoming increasingly out of reach. While fewer homes are being sold, the median home sale price has continued to climb, rising to $225,000 in the third quarter of 2023, a 21.6% increase since 2019. The study estimates a need for hundreds of new homes valued at less than $200,000, but these are a rare find. The lack of affordable housing options has led to concerning trends, including a growing reliance on mobile homes as a primary low-cost option, which could present future challenges. For many, the American Dream of owning a home is becoming nearly impossible.
The situation is even more dire for those in crisis. We know there are people in our community living in their vehicles, storage units, and tents. Local service providers are stretched to their limits, with all housing sector partners seeing increased need. It’s especially heartbreaking to know that 33% of the homeless population are families with children. Many of these individuals and families are employed and are actively saving for permanent housing.
This is a complex challenge, bigger than any single organization can solve. As the study emphasizes, our community must "build its way out of this housing crisis.” This will require a coordinated effort and creative solutions, and it is a task we must take on together, swimming parallel with the shore to get people out of this riptide.
At The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, we are committed to being part of this solution. We have committed $50,000 to the Community Housing Fund for long-term support, and an additional $100,000 to the Interim Housing Program Fund to help transition families into short-term, affordable rental housing while they work toward home ownership.
Our challenge to you, our community, is to join us in this investment. By supporting the Community Housing Fund or the Interim Housing Program Fund, you can directly support a more stable and secure future for our neighbors. Together, we can help people find solid ground and ensure that everyone in Hancock County has a safe place to call home. Learn more about both of these funds by clicking here.
The editorial was originally published in The Courier on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
