Dayton, Ohio Development News

2025 Housing Condition Survey Enhances Data Collection and Analysis for Urban Planning

The Planning, Neighborhoods and Development department presented an update on the 2025 Housing Condition Survey, highlighting advancements in data collection and analysis. The survey, conducted every two years, now utilizes a mobile app for real-time data entry and photo documentation, replacing the previous manual clipboard method. This digital approach, developed with the GIS team, allows for immediate data capture and analysis, improving efficiency and providing detailed insights into property conditions. The survey's scoring system (1-5) remains consistent, but the methodology now includes detailed factors contributing to scores and enhanced photo documentation. The data is accessible through a public portal, enabling neighborhood leaders and residents to understand and utilize property condition information. The survey results indicate a shift in property conditions, with a decrease in 'grade one' properties and an increase in 'grade two' properties, attributed partly to inspector experience and refined scoring. The survey also captured commercial properties on corridors and identified trends, such as the significant reduction of 'grade five' properties in focus neighborhoods like Five Oaks, which is linked to ARPA-funded demolition and rehabilitation efforts. The department plans to use this data to inform future work plans, respond to funding opportunities, and support policy decisions. Additionally, the presentation covered structural nuisance properties, including breakdowns by property type (single-family homes, garages, commercial, apartments) and fire-damaged structures, providing a comprehensive picture for strategic investment and demolition planning. The team also discussed the updated civil citation process and legal orders, aiming for a more effective approach to code enforcement and property improvement.