Quincy The community discussions surrounding Q-RILE, the non-binding referendum endorsing a housing ordinance drafted by the Quincy for Registration Inspection Licensing Enactment group that received more than 60% of the vote in the general election held on April 1, have brought attention to housing as one of Quincy’s most important issues this year.
Mayor Linda Moore made it clear at the beginning of her administration that housing would be addressed, not disregarded. On Tuesday evening, a housing task force was established and held its inaugural meeting at the Quincy Public Library.
The conference was attended by about 30 persons, the majority of whom had a stake in the matter. These individuals included social workers, real estate developers, renters, homeowners, and residents of single-family homes and apartments.
While some members chose to participate, others were asked to be present.
Moore began by outlining how the Credit Housing Report and the United Way Needs Assessment inspired her to form the housing task force.
According to Moore, one of the group’s goals is to devise a strategy for delivering what we require at the appropriate time. I am aware that there will be many obstacles in our path, but we will overcome them and continue on.
Alderwoman Karol Ehmen (R-4th Ward) and Paul Havermale, the superintendent of the Adams County Veterans Assistance Commission, serve as co-chairs of the organization. They wanted participants to understand the importance of their job.
Havermale assured him that his time would not be wasted. We will be soliciting votes and making specific recommendations.
Ehmen gave a presentation outlining the objectives of the task force. The task force aims to preserve Quincy’s architectural and historical pride while catering to the requirements of numerous community groups. By creating community areas (parks, cafes, and libraries) in every ward, they intend to foster stronger ties.
The presentation indicates that the median property listing price is increasing by 9.5% annually. The quality is frequently subpar despite the expense increases: in 2024, 21% of households experienced serious problems, up from 12% in 2021.
The task force wants to construct a lot more Quincy units. They intend to construct an additional 50 to 75 single-family homes, 75 to 100 market-rate rental homes, and 125 senior housing units by 2028.
The co-chairs proposed that three sectors—government, business, and private-sector engagement—would provide answers. After discussing these topics in three groups, the audience dispersed.
Members of the private group discussed the need to eliminate the stigma associated with renters as well as the advantages and difficulties of adding apartments outside the city borders. The government committee discussed streamlining the registration and inspection processes as well as community communication. When coming up with ideas for both public and private collaborative solutions, the group considered who was missing a place at the table and how to fill those voids.
Brennan Hills explained the government group’s discussion by saying, “We’re all rowing in the same boat rather than tenant versus landlord versus developer.”
I’ve been involved in local issues for three or four years, and instead of just talking about them, I want to see real answers come to fruition, Hills said. I am quite hopeful because it appears like we are all ready to actually do some tasks.
Moore will meet with the co-chairs to determine a timeframe for the next steps. The group wants to prioritize where to begin after reducing their objectives to manageable tasks. The group intends to get together once a month or so.
In reference to Hills’s previous remarks, Ehmen added, “We’re all rowing in the same boat,” which is the best phrase I heard tonight. We’re together now, and I think what you say is really valuable. It’s our responsibility. It is our responsibility.
