Proposed Residential TIF Could Help Move Indian Ridge on the Wabash Expansion Forward

HUNTINGTON – At its September 29th meeting, the Huntington City Council introduced a reimbursement ordinance related to a proposed residential tax-increment financing (TIF) district at Indian Ridge on the Wabash.

The south side subdivision, originally developed starting in 1980, has grown over the years to include 208 lots across Sections 1 through 8. A plan from developer Matt Lancia Signature Homes would add two new sections and approximately 97 lots for new home construction:

• Section 9, to include 41 new residential lots.
• Section 10, to include approximately 56 additional residential lots for future development, with the exact number not yet determined.

Under the proposed plan, Matt Lancia Signature Homes’ would spend about $1.12 million to build supporting public infrastructure for the 41 new residential lots planned in Section 9. As these homes are built and begin generating new property tax revenue, the City would reimburse the developer up to $600,000 in principal, plus interest, through the TIF district over time.

Infrastructure costs eligible for reimbursement would include:

• Roads.
• Curbs and gutters.
• Storm sewers.
• Sanitary sewers.
• Water mains.

Council’s September 29th meeting followed an August 7th Declaratory Resolution by the Huntington Redevelopment Commission stating intent to establish the residential TIF district. The city’s Plan Commission approved this Declaratory Resolution on August 27. The proposal also received a favorable recommendation from the city’s Economic Development Commission.

Growing Housing Shortage

The plan aims to bolster Huntington’s housing supply, with a dwindling number of residential lots available for new homes to be built.

New home starts in Huntington numbered just 15 in 2025 and nine so far in 2026. That follows an average of more than 29 new home starts a year from 2014 through 2024. The dropoff is especially steep after Huntington reached a recent high of 52 new home starts in 2024.

“For the most part, Huntington is out of vacant residential subdivision lots ready for new construction, which further hurts housing growth,” Community Development and Redevelopment Director Bryn Keplinger said.

How TIF Works

Residential TIF districts work by capturing future increases in property tax revenue to help pay for a portion of the eligible infrastructure costs that supported that growth.

The proposed TIF district would include only the new lots in Sections 9 and 10 and the new homes ultimately built on them. Existing homes in Indian Ridge would not be part of the district.

In the Indian Ridge proposal, approximately 97 new homes could ultimately be built on previously undeveloped land. This land currently generates little tax value – less annually than the yearly property tax revenue of a single new home.

Importantly, a TIF is not an additional tax or a new tax that all Huntington residents would pay. Further, the reimbursement amount could be reduced or eliminated if the developer does not meet its targets, helping protect the City's investment.

In addition, residents and families who purchase new homes in the TIF district would pay the same property tax rates as other Huntington homeowners. The proposed TIF district would not increase their property tax obligation, just redirect where future tax dollars go for a period.

Finally, once the public infrastructure is completed and accepted, the City would take ownership and add it to the City's system.

Why New Construction Matters

New construction does more than provide another housing option for a family that purchases a new home. When a family buys a new home, their previous dwelling becomes available to another renter or buyer. This helps create flexibility and mobility across all housing tiers and price points.

When a community doesn’t have enough new housing to meet demand, this movement slows. At the same time, rising construction costs make it difficult for developers to build new homes at prices the market can support. As a result, developers may postpone or abandon projects even when there is a demonstrated need for additional housing.

Through a residential TIF district and in accordance with state law, a municipality can partner with a developer to help offset upfront development costs and support new housing development.

What Comes Next

The proposed Indian Ridge residential TIF district is not yet established. Upcoming procedural steps before the district could be created include:

• 9 a.m. October 6 – Economic Development Commission project report and public hearing, Temporary City Offices, 217 W. State St.
• 7 p.m. October 13 – Regular City Council meeting, Huntington North High School Cafeteria, 450 MacGahan St.

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