West Lafayette ready to dedicate new position to housing shortage

Plan to create West Lafayette housing director role emerges during city council budget discussion. A Q&A with Mayor Erin Easter about the idea.

Thanks to today’s sponsor, Stuart & Branigin, for continued support of the Based in Lafayette reporting project.

---

WEST LAFAYETTE READY TO DEDICATE NEW POSITION TO HOUSING SHORTAGE

With housing – and the lack of it – playing such a pivotal role in so many West Lafayette conversations, the mayor plans to assign someone to tackle the issue in ways not unlike its approach to major mixed-use projects, starting in 2025.

The idea emerged Tuesday night during the West Lafayette City Council’s initial vote on a 2025 budget, which will include room for a city housing director.

It also came on a night when some residents criticized how planning for huge developments near Purdue’s campus put an emphasis on higher-end rents for students without enough focus on affordable housing in West Lafayette.

“As we work through our strategic planning process, housing – as you have heard today – has ended up being one of the most contentious issues that we face as a city,” Mayor Erin Easter told city council members. “Not just in terms of student housing, but all housing. …