By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The good news: Bowling Green hit a 10-year high with 53 new single-family homes built last year.
The bad news: That’s still not enough.
Numbers reported last month by the Bowling Green Planning Department showed 53 new houses were built in 2025, compared to 48 the year before, and a low of 22 in 2022.
In addition to single-family homes, two apartment complexes for lower income residents are being built, according to Kati Thompson, director of Bowling Green Economic Development.
The Summer Grove complex offers 96 units located off South Main Street, behind Pagliai’s. And construction is expected to begin soon on the Sunset development, with 66 units for lower income older adults. That complex will also be off South Main Street, behind Aldi’s.
The addition of so many single-family homes is an “incredible success story,” for the city, Thompson said.
Despite the success, the Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee of City Council has identified more housing as a goal. While the city is making progress, there is more needed, committee members agreed.
Last year, to make homes more affordable in the new development of Toussaint Springs, the city of Bowling Green created a program giving homebuyers there a 50% property tax abatement over 10 years.
The prices of the new homes had continued to inch up over the last three years since the project was first announced at the southwest corner of Brim and Newton roads. Initially, the homes were projected to come with starting prices at $225,000. Then the next year, the price range was projected to be in the mid-$300,000s. As of last year’s ribbon cutting, the price range was estimated at $400,000 to $460,000, with $60,000 to $80,000 of that going toward the lots.
Among the factors blamed for the skyrocketing costs were inflation and tariffs.
It is hoped the tax abatement can put the homes within grasp of some potential buyers.
At the time of the ribbon cutting, Thompson said that as city residents buy more expensive homes, it “frees up existing inventory in the community,” she said.
City Council member Katelyn Elliott, who chairs the Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee, said Monday that she would like to focus on two of council’s 2026 goals of reviewing the city’s zoning code to assure it is meeting its desired outcomes, and revising subdivision regulations.
Elliott said she recently attended a webinar where the statewide issue of housing shortages was discussed.
Council members Jeff Dennis and Joel O’Dorisio, who also serve on the committee, agreed the city had made progress in attracting more housing starts.
“We definitely are seeing more housing built than in the past,” O’Dorisio said.
But both Dennis and O’Dorisio want to make sure the city’s zoning update is working to offer options in addition to single-family homes and apartment complexes.
“The city is not in the business of building housing,” O’Dorisio said. But it does permit the type of housing being constructed. When the zoning code was being updated, a multi-use residential zoning category was created.
“On paper it looks great,” but O’Dorisio questioned if it’s being put to use.
And Dennis said he would like to revisit the section of the zoning code on Accessory Dwelling Units, – essentially small apartments located on owner-occupied property.
Elliott supported efforts to explore other types of housing for the city.
“We need it all across the board,” she said.
