Zoning & Housing Solutions: Dayton Panel Urges Flexibility, Faster Permitting and Stronger Community Partnerships

By Greater Dayton Realtist Staff

At a packed community forum focused on “Zoning & Housing Solutions for a Stronger Dayton,” local planners, builders, lenders and housing advocates agreed on one thing: Dayton’s housing challenges won’t be solved by old rules or slow processes. The Oct. 27 panel—hosted by the NAACP Dayton Branch at Grace United Methodist Church and moderated by Traci Martin—brought together municipal staff, township planners, small-scale and traditional builders, lenders and community organizations to talk practical solutions for producing and preserving affordable homes.

Panelists & Moderator

• Traci Martin (Moderator) — Housing Chair, NAACP Dayton; President, Greater Dayton Realtist Association

• Kémo A’akhutera — Mod Fab Inc. / Design to Build (factory/modular homebuilding)

• Chad M. Adkins, AICP — Harrison Township (planning director/representative)

• Khalid & Dana Joshua — Integrity & Trust Builders (local residential builders & developers)

• Tony Kroeger — City of Dayton (city planning/zoning representative)

• Daniel (D.J.) Sessions — Sessions Lending Group (lending/financing specialist)

• Kim Williams — Greater Dayton Realtist Association (community real estate leader)

Speed Up the System, Make the Rules Flexible

A recurring theme was process friction. Builders described projects stalled for months navigating multiple departments and repetitive plan reviews. They urged the city to streamline permitting and introduce single-point-of-contact coordination.

City staff confirmed that a new online permitting portal is underway—allowing all reviewing departments to see the same plans simultaneously. Planners say this will cut down on delays, lost documents and duplicate submittals.

Panelists also emphasized zoning flexibility. Much of the city’s code still defaults to strictly single-family districts. The city is exploring “gentle density,” including duplexes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), to increase housing supply without overwhelming neighborhoods.

Small Developers Need Clarity and Speed

Local builders shared how even modest construction jobs can be slowed for weeks or months. Time delays hurt small developers the most, especially those using private capital or financing with interest costs.

Recommendations from the panel included:

• Clear checklists for plan requirements

• Unified comments instead of conflicting departmental feedback

• Staffing support to shorten review timelines

Funding, Rehab Programs and Financing Tools

Lenders explained financing programs that support both investors and first-time homebuyers, including renovation loans for distressed properties. They stressed the importance of public/private partnerships—especially when projects serve low- or moderate-income residents where subsidies may be needed.

Panelists urged more community outreach so residents become aware of the programs available to them.

Preventing Displacement & Building Ownership

Neighborhood advocates highlighted the need to protect long-term residents from displacement while attracting new development.

Community solutions discussed included:

• Pre-purchase education

• Credit and lending readiness programs

• Pathways to homeownership to keep wealth local

One panelist summarized: “Development should not happen to a community—it should happen with the community.”

Innovation and Cost-Saving Construction

Some builders discussed modular and factory-built components that could reduce labor and material costs. However, panelists acknowledged that building codes, permitting processes, and market perception create hurdles for newer methods—particularly for smaller projects.

What’s Next

City representatives confirmed that Dayton is initiating a comprehensive zoning code update—the first major overhaul in years. Public workshops and community feedback sessions will be scheduled in the coming months.

Panelists encouraged residents, neighborhood associations, builders, and business leaders to stay engaged:

“Housing solutions require collaboration—city, developers, lenders, and community.”

Event note:

The NAACP Dayton Branch hosted the forum at Grace United Methodist Church (1001 Harvard Blvd.) on Oct. 27. For more information, contact the NAACP Dayton Branch or the Greater Dayton Realtist Association.

See the full video:

NAACP Dayton Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CsPRjEkoh/