Workforce Housing

Part of a vibrant community is having a diverse stock of housing available across a broad range of income levels. It is not a matter of where to put it, or what group needs to spearhead it (although that gets to one of my other priorities - Coordinated Fiscal Investment), but rather how quickly can we address this issue. Rising property values, a by-product of success efforts to promote the island, and post disaster recovery and development have resulted in increasing rents.

I asked assistant police chief Andre Mitchell, and Galveston Firefighter Association president Mark Morgan the same question - “What would you like to see in the community that would help you provide better service to residents?”

Both of them had the same answer, “To have more staff live on the island.” Vision Galveston reports data that echoes this concern - more than 65% of island workers commute from off the island. The top reason why? More affordable housing prices.