Workforce Housing…Why Should You Care?
Many working families cannot afford a home in Washington County. The average sales price of a single family home in 2008 was $294,978. This represents a 91% increase in price since 2000 ($154,518).
A lack of workforce housing stifles economic growth, adds to traffic problems, and generally impacts the quality of life in our region.
A well kept, reasonably priced home provides a safe and healthy environment for children. In addition, a home provides ownership in community and a desire to be more involved in making better neighborhoods.
Even if you don’t need workforce housing, the problem will still impact you directly. For example:
- If teachers, firefighters and nurses are unable to live in the area, then teachers can’t teach your children, nurses can’t care for your family and firefighters can’t provide emergency services.
- If people have to travel an hour to work, they will have less time to be involved in their communities.
- Workforce housing shortfalls force families to pay a higher % of their income for housing or live in substandard conditions.
- Our communities need these people in order to operate effectively.