SOUTH BEND — The story is familiar almost everywhere.
Deep shortages in available housing, combined with stagnant wages drive many people, especially younger generations, out of the market or into apartments far smaller than their price would seem to merit.
"Certainly every community across the country is wrestling with the same stuff since the housing crisis hit," said Jeff Rea, president and CEO of the South Bend Regional Chamber. "When 2008 happened, production of new housing stopped in communities.
"We've been trying to catch back up. We've really taken things into our own hands and really tried to deliver housing stock."
The proactive approach taken in St. Joseph County, especially in South Bend, has been very effective, Rea said, referencing incentives provided by local governments and partnerships on new housing projects.
"We needed to get some new investment happening in our neighborhoods, and as everybody's thinking about doing it across the country, I would say we're on the front end of figuring out how to do it and how to make it affordable," he said.