In most countries across the globe, there is an increasing difficulty among the medium income groups to rent or buy housing units in areas near their work location. It is because of their stagnant wages and the improving cost of living says Maxwell Drever. The limited supply of affordable housing units and increased luxurious apartments has also contributed to this new trend.
In response to the low number of affordable housing options, real estate investors and landlords have come forward to solve the issue. The medium-income groups, which form the backbone of society, are the central service providers. These are teachers, firefighters, healthcare workers, and much more. Since there is a shortage of affordable housing units near their job location, they stay far away from the city centers, which add to the long commute time.
Workforce housing has become an increasingly used term in the real estate industry. Along with this, it has negative externalities on the surrounding area and contributes to a high level of traffic. Hence, it is significant for the readers to understand the concept in its totality.
Definition and nature
If you go by research findings, Maxwell Drever reflects that an affordable housing unit gets defined as an affordable residence for people earning between 60 to 120% of AMI. The workforce population comprises teachers, firefighters, police officers, and healthcare workers. These individuals have limited resources and are always looking for reasonable housing rates. Hence, affordable housing units have become a strategy in the real estate industry.
Significance of workforce housing
Maxwell Drever upheld that housing affordability has become an area of concern for higher authorities like governmental institutions. It comes without saying that the workforce population forming the backbone of society needs support. Several real estate investors and landlords have come forward to help the medium-income worker struggling with stagnant wages. Transforming hotels into affordable housing units and constructing new buildings rectify the problem to a level. Hence, it can reduce the shortage of new housing units by undertaking new constructions.
The housing market in the economy has recovered ever since the last recession. In the post-pandemic scenario, housing prices have reduced to a level. Hence, the high demand for affordable housing units is well established. However, it is not that low for the workforce population to afford these units. Here, the government undertakes several strategies and policies to stimulate the creation of workforce housing units.
Moreover, federal governments have come forward with detailed implementation of these plans to help countries address the problem of workforce housing requirements.
Along with this, a few other strategies get pulled in the following areas:
- Creation of dedicated housing units and trust funds
- Repurposing underutilized and vacant retail space and land
- Adoption of inclusionary zoning
- Creation of community Land Trust
- Updating of land development code for encouraging development
These steps are a ray of hope, encouraging workforce housing development projects. Although there are various misconceptions associating with these projects, local governments have come forward to help communities render support to the workforce population. Along with this, the conversion rate is always on the high.