Brady from South Metro Scoop covers Hastings’ housing shortage, citing a city housing needs assessment estimating a deficit of nearly 1,500 units over five years (about 1,000 for-sale homes and about 400 rentals).

He recaps updates from the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority (HEDRA) meeting and outlines projects in the development pipeline:
Pleasant Valley Farms (375 homes on 160 acres north of Hastings High School, extending General Seban Drive to County Road 42, by Tradition as developer, with grading possibly later this year and homes by end of 2027), a new phase at Heritage Ridge (40 units), Sunset Hills Addition (26-unit subdivision north of 15th Street near Seas in the Sunset West neighborhood, early application stage), and Walden at Hastings (details pending, land use applications expected within a couple months).

He also notes approval of a 15,000-square-foot climate-controlled storage building near Coburn’s. With confirmed counts, the projects total roughly 670 housing units, making a meaningful dent in the gap. The episode also highlights discussion about potential down payment assistance grants, with Community Development Director noting the CDA typically leads housing programs and already provides some assistance. The 2024 community development report includes 36 single-family permits (42 units total), a low lot inventory that these projects could replenish, $24,000 in facade improvement grants to seven downtown projects leveraging $103,000 in private investment, over 80 business drop-in visits, Music and Markets doubling events and partnering with the downtown concert series, and a zoning code review moving toward public engagement.

Brady concludes that Hastings is at a turning point and encourages subscribing to the South Metro Scoop newsletter for ongoing updates.