2. MetroCOG workforce housing study

Strategic Needs in the Metro Area Five strategic needs are identified to address the workforce housing demand and needs in the metro area. The following methods were used to identify the strategic needs: . The interests, barriers and concerns that came from the focus groups; . Interviews with key persons; . Review of existing activities of the participating governments and also of the state housing finance agencies; . The Danter Company's market analysis; and lastly . Information garnered from the discussion at meetings of the Workforce Housing Coalition. The interests, barriers, concerns and other information are grouped into the following five strategic needs: . Intergovernmental Cooperation and "Level the Playing Field" There is recognition that the metro area comprises a single housing market. There is concern about too much rental housing and about not enough lower priced single-family housing in some communities. The need to achieve a balanced housing market is important to ensure the workforce is able to rent or buy housing within their means. There is a need to reduce the costs of developing new workforce housing as well as mitigate the incentives competition among the four cities. Differing development requirements make the development process inconsistent for the developer and confusing to the buyers of single-family homes. . Education, Communication and Dialogue There are a broad range of needs in this strategic area. The first is improving communication and information sharing about the regional housing market in order to help public officials and stakeholders become more aware of their role in addressing any mismatches between supply and demand. Information is needed to assist decision-makers, both public and private, to address and modify policies, programs (incentives and regulatory 2\ Linda S. Donnelly, ,'\,I.ey. i\ ugUS! 2006