1. The Business Stake in Workforce Housing:
The Key to a Strong Workforce
Karen Elzey Senior Director U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Center for Workforce Preparation

2. U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Workforce Preparation
Develops workforce and education strategies and leadership roles for businesses, chambers of commerce, and communities to hire, retain, and advance skilled workers in the 21st century.

3. Across the Country, More Workers are Unable to Afford to Live in the Communities They Serve
Source: Copyright Center for Housing Policy Data on the median-priced home are from the National Association of Home Builders’ Housing Opportunity Index for the third quarter (3Q) of Wage Data are as of August, 2005 and were obtained from a proprietary database of salary information by geographic location maintained by Salary.com

4. 2004 Symposium with Employers, Chambers, and Housing Experts
Are housing costs undermining the type of competitive business environment that is essential to strong, vibrant communities?

5. Employer Interest in Workforce Housing
Recruitment
Retention
Worker Productivity

6. Why Chambers of Commerce?
Local chambers of commerce:
Serve as influential intermediaries
Frame a collective employer response
Provide greater visibility, and
Engage local policy makers

7. Chamber of Commerce Emerging Models
Local Policy Development/Advocacy
(San Francisco, CA Chamber)
Developing Housing Coalitions (Greater Keene, NH Chamber)
Promoting Employer-Assisted Housing Programs (Greater Sarasota, FL Chamber)
Conducting Public Awareness Campaigns (Frederick County, MD Chamber)

8. Next Steps Workforce Housing:
Partnership between CWP and the National Association of Realtors
Workforce Housing:
Chambers and Realtors Building Retention Solutions for Business

9. Contact Information
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Center for Workforce Preparation
1615 H Street NW
Washington, DC
Phone:
Web Site: