Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, introduced a bipartisan bill to build homes in abandoned or run-down buildings, and Northwest Indiana mayors support what it would do for their communities.
“As mayor of Hammond, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that abandoned malls, factories, and warehouses pose to our neighborhoods — draining local resources and holding back economic growth,” Mayor Tom McDermott said in a statement. “Revitalizing Hammond is key to improving our community, rebuilding our tax base, and giving working people a chance to live where they work.”
On July 24, Banks introduced the Revitalizing Empty Structures Into Desirable Environments — or RESIDE — Act with Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia. The bill would use funding from the Home Investment Partnerships Program, starting in 2026, for a four-year pilot program to help turn abandoned or run-down structures into housing, according to a Monday news release.
The bill includes no new spending and will support single-family and multi-family homes.
“Owning a home is such a big part of the American dream,” Banks said in a news release. “But with prices so high, especially for young people, we have to get serious about building more homes. This bill is a commonsense way to revitalize our communities and give more families a real chance to buy a home.”