Workforce, housing crisis solutions

Last month, I wrote about the workforce shortage, which is holding back our economy and critical services like healthcare.

The housing crisis is intertwined with our workforce shortage.

Even if a local business or hospital recruits a great candidate for a job, no one can take that position without a place to live.

Sometimes, the only home they can find or afford isn't anywhere near their work. That means they either can't take the job – or they suffer through long commutes every day, adding to traffic gridlock.

We must solve these two problems together.

Adding more affordable housing for working families and the middle class doesn't get much attention in newspapers and television news, which is often focused on the homeless crisis.

It is the right thing to help folks experiencing homelessness so they can get back on their feet.

And it is the right thing to expand the housing supply for working families, because adding more homes will help reduce the cost of housing for everyone.

Here are some ideas that we're working on that could help:

Middle housing: Decades ago, we had far more variety in the types of housing in our towns and cities, which today are dominated by single-family detached homes or apartment buildings.

Allowing other options like cottage courts and townhouses, like we had before, would allow for more housing close to jobs and transit. It would help people spend less time in traffic while helping solve the housing shortage.

Mother-in-law apartments / Accessory Dwelling Units: This is another reform that would give homeowners a second source of income while providing more housing where we need it most.

Cutting red tape: The Legislature is considering a number of bills to make it simpler, and quicker, to build new housing throughout the state.

Housing near transit and reforming parking requirements: It is common sense to allow more housing units near transit stations – and to relax requirements for a minimum number of parking spots for new apartments located near transit.

There are dozens of bills addressing these issues, and it is too early to say which bills in the House or Senate will pass and become law. Each bill, even if it becomes law, will become amended and perfected along the way compared to where it is now.

What I can tell you is I've never seen so many lawmakers, Democrat and Republican, united in common purpose to tackle this issue.

These ideas and solutions will help reduce workforce shortages, shorten commutes, and lower housing costs for everyone, whether you're renting a home or trying to buy one closer to your job.

Real solutions like these will also make it possible for the students of today to have hope that when they graduate and get a job, they'll be able to save up and buy their first home.

And every family needs a home – a safe, warm place to call their own.