‘We’re all rowing in the same boat’: Mayor’s housing task force holds first meeting

QUINCY — Housing has been one of Quincy’s top issues this year, highlighted by the community discussions around Q-RILE, the non-binding referendum supporting a housing ordinance created by the Quincy for Registration Inspection Licensing Enactment group which passed with more than 60 percent of the vote in the April 1 general election.

When Mayor Linda Moore’s term started, she made it clear that housing would be addressed, not ignored. A housing task force was created and met for the first time at the Quincy Public Library on Tuesday night.

Around 30 people attended the meeting, most of them having a vested interest in the issue including real estate agents, social workers real estate developers, renters, homeowners, and inhabitants of single-family homes and apartments.

Some members opted in, while others’ presence was requested.

Moore opened the meeting, explaining that her desire to create the housing task force resulted from the Credit Housing Report and the United Way Needs Assessment.

“One of the purposes of this group is to come up with a plan to get us what we need when we need it,” Moore said. “I know we’re going to run into a lot of … potholes, but when we do, we’re going to fix them and we’re going to move forward.”

The group is co-chaired by Alderwoman Karol Ehmen (R – 4^th Ward), and Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Adams County Paul Havermale. They wanted participants to know their work is going to matter.

“I assure you, your time is not going to be wasted,” Havermale said. “There will be concrete recommendations, and we’re going to be asking for votes.”

Ehmen shared a presentation about the task force’s goals. The task force hopes to meet the needs of many community groups while maintaining Quincy’s architectural and historical pride. They hope to increase connections by developing community spaces in each ward (libraries, parks and cafes).

According to the presentation, the median home listing price is trending up by 9.5% each year. Even with the cost increases, the quality is often poor: in 2024, 21% of households had severe issues (up from 12% in 2021).

The task force aims to build many more units in Quincy. By 2028, they hope to build 50 to 75 more single family housing units, 75 to 100 market-rate rental units, and 125 senior housing units.

The co-chairs suggested that solutions would come from three areas: government, the private sector, and private public interaction. The audience split into three groups to discuss these areas, then shared out.

Members of the private group spoke about the benefits and challenges of adding units outside of city limits, and the necessity to remove negative stigma around renters. The government group spoke about communication with the community, and standardizing the inspection and registrations programs. The group brainstorming public and private teamwork solutions thought about the people who didn’t have a seat at the table, and how to fill those gaps.

“We’re all rowing in the same boat… rather than tenant versus landlord versus developer,” said Brennan Hills, when he shared about the government group’s conversation.

“I have been involved in local issues for about three to four years now and I am interested in seeing actual solutions reached rather than just continued discussion,” Hills said. “I definitely am optimistic; everyone seems like we’re prepared to get some things actually done.”

For next steps, the co-chairs will meet with Moore to establish a timeline. The group hopes to narrow their goals into accomplishable tasks, then prioritize where to start. The group plans to meet around once a month.

“The best quote that I heard tonight is, we’re all rowing in the same boat,” said Ehmen, referring to Hills’ earlier words. “I think there’s great value to what you say, and we’re together now. It’s our job. It’s our task.”