Workforce Housing A Regional Action Plan for Palm Beach County

Workforce Housing: Problem Identification What is Workforce Housing? Definitions: Affordable versus Workforce Why don’t we have any? Market Conditions Limited land, Hot real estate market, Cost to build/renovate Public Policy No sense of urgency, NIMBY, No public policy Other Contributing Tax and homeowner fee escalations, Condo conversions Why is that a problem? Economic Development Quality of Life

Workforce Housing: Proposed Solutions Housing Leadership Council…. Defining the problem better Bringing everyone to the table Gathering better data Studying what’s worked elsewhere Educating the public Creating a sense of urgency Working towards a recommended strategy

Workforce Housing: Next Steps in the Strategy/Action Plan Prioritized needs identified in research Sought expert assistance in these areas Set up quantifiable goals for 2007 Developed Solutions Workshops National Housing Conference Trying Commissions on Regulatory Barriers Integrating Boards Emphasized issue as election issue Formalized the HLC Hired Staff and Fund raising

Workforce Housing: Lessons Learned and How Can YOU Help LIGHT BULB MOMENTS/LESSONS LEARNED: Underestimated competition versus collaboration. Can’t do ENOUGH public education on the topic at ALL levels. Diversification of employer attitude to solutions. Stick to what the numbers are telling you. NO EASY OR QUICK SOLUTION. HOW CAN YOU HELP: Always looking for Best Practices especially in Public Policy. How do you transition from social issue to business issue? How do you collaborate with non-profits who see your sudden interest in their world as suspicious and compromising to their constituency group? Once you get through to the elected officials, how do you deal with inadequate internal planning infrastructure that’s way behind in dealing with this issue as a smart growth issue?

Thank you for your time and consideration of this important issue! Workforce Housing Thank you for your time and consideration of this important issue!