Regional housing study and strategy data released

WESTPORT | The Lake Champlain Lake George Regional Planning Board (LCLGRPB) presented its Comprehensive Housing Study and Strategy April 19 at the Westport Golf Course. It showed data collected from Clinton, Essex, Franklin and Hamilton counties. The six main issues LCLGRPB identified dramatic housing price increases, growth in short-term rentals, low production of housing, increase in seasonal housing, labor shortages and mismatch in regional wages as the top six issues. The survey results reported 82 percent of respondents rated a lack of available quality rentals as the most critical housing issue. Eight-two percent also rated "prices not affordable to live and work here" as the most critical issue. Sixty-seven percent rated "lack of quality housing for sale" as the most critical issue. The survey found there are 20,100 housing interventions needed in the region. Housing interventions are assistance programs like Section 8 vouchers, housing subsidies, emergency shelters, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing. The largest group in need of housing are "cost-burdened households," followed by "alternate senior housing living," "displaced workers," "under-housed young adults," "obsolete housing replacement," "overcrowded residents" and "substandard housing replacement." The survey found significant gaps between how much an affordable home should cost based on median income and the actual median sale price. In Clinton County, the actual median sale price is $32,608 higher than an affordable home should cost based on median income. In Essex County, the actual median sale price is $81,176 higher. In Franklin County, the actual median price is $1,056 higher. And in Hamilton County, the actual median sale price is $60,449 higher. LCLGRPB used the data to determine how many workforce housing units each county will need in the next 10 years. They determined the region will need about 7,500 new housing units total, with 4,582 in Clinton County, 1,675 in Essex County, 944 in Franklin County and 259 in Hamilton County. Next, the presentation went into "Transformative Initiatives." These 10 initiatives look at all of the factors that need to be considered when combatting the housing shortage. Number one is "Support and grow the capacity of existing and emerging North County housing organizations." This refers to the land banks and the nonprofits they work with. Three of the counties have submitted land bank applications. Franklin and Essex have been approved so far. Number two is "Re-align workforce housing zoning." This means getting creative with zoning. For example, offering incentives for inclusionary housing and denser developments. Number three is "Build local: creating an 'ecosystem' for in-region modular construction and workforce training." The idea of this initiative is to develop a workforce alongside housing development. Number four is "Support workforce housing development through the Adirondack Park Agency and Adirondack Park Agency Act." This means working with these partners to establish a housing development project pre-approval program that focuses on filing in unused space in hamlets. Number five is "Work local, live local." This focuses on alternative pathways to homeownership like co-ops and rent-to-own. Number six is "Transition housing from retired workers to current workers." This means rehabilitating existing homes and building new facilities for seniors to live in and then connecting them with local, working people to buy their houses. Number seven is "Rebalance the region's housing by creating more long-term rentals." This means registering short-term rentals, a rent-to-local program, a North Country home-sharing program and a revolving loan fund to support rehabilitating second- and third-story units. Number eight is "Engage employers in regional housing solutions." This means connecting employers and housing projects. Number nine is "Stabilize, rehabilitate and modernize existing housing." This means ensuring the existing housing is maintained by providing funding for rental owners and code enforcement. Number 10 is "Establish a framework for long-term success." This means prioritizing infrastructure funding to support housing development, creating community housing funds, appointing a regional housing planner and having annual regional reports for housing indicators. The presentation concluded with "Next Steps." LCLGRPB plans to work with county boards to come up with regional initiatives moving forward, continue advocating for housing at the state and regional levels and collaborate with other communities to meet the region's housing goals.

Signup for our newsletter

Regional housing study and strategy data released

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS