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Building Community By Housing Your Workforce
The housing problem for local workers and residents of South Lake Tahoe is not new; however, a new approach to work to address the problem is underway! A bi-state task force was formed in 2016 to figure out how to move forward together on this issue. Maintaining the momentum – the Tahoe Prosperity Center (TPC). WSW Consulting, Inc., has contracted with TPC to help flesh out policies and best practices
Nearly all resort communities have experienced a huge surge in vacation home rentals over the past few years. While they have always been around, the ease of advertising through VRBO, Airbnb and other platforms, and increasing property management services for these properties has resulted in an explosion of these accommodation options in many tourist destinations. The impact on local housing varies: nearly 40% of Big Sky, MT, renters were displaced
Not only has a Community Housing Action Plan been completed, with significant contribution from key community stakeholders, board members from various organizations and “doers” – as well as comprehensive community survey input – but actions are getting underway. It will be exciting if Big Sky succeeds in using partnerships and knowledge gained from this experience to produce its first permanently affordable housing ownership opportunity for residents and the local workforce!
A more entertaining and fun article expressing my experience and data gathering “techniques” than a resume alone… Who is Wendy Sullivan? If you found this helpful, please share…FacebookGoogleTwitterLinkedin
A community survey was conducted as a core component of a Housing Needs Assessment in Big Sky. The community needs to have input into this study – including whether they feel housing is a problem (hint: it IS a BIG problem), why, struggles faced, and programs they feel are needed and would consider. This is the most comprehensive housing survey every completed for this community and some results are eye-opening.
A significant step in formulating a Community (not consultant’s) Housing Action Plan for Big Sky has been completed – first the Housing Needs Assessment using results from an extremely successful community survey (over 1,000 responses); and second commitment from key stakeholders/doers in the community to make decisions and undertake implementation once completed. Affordable housing working group up and running. If you found this helpful, please share…FacebookGoogleTwitterLinkedin
Housing Action Plans are the hot item with the existing housing crisis hitting not only intermountain west mountain communities, but many throughout the country. Big Sky, Mt., a mountain community that is experiencing significant growth and development, understands that having housing available and affordable for its local residents and workforce is essential to build and support its community and economy. Our team began a 7-month process this month to help
“The best money [Mammoth Mountain Ski Area] ever spent,” was the quote at the end of evening when Wendy Sullivan of WSW Consulting, Inc., and Steve Frisch with the Sierra Business Council presented the the Mammoth Lakes Community Housing Action Plan to the town in mid-November. Over a 5-month community-driven process, our team helped Mammoth Lakes set a collaborative direction in addressing their community housing needs. The Plan will be
Whitefish City Council unanimously adopted the Strategic Housing Plan pulled together by our team of consultants and, most importantly, the Whitefish community. The process began this spring and wrapped up in November – now that it’s adopted, let the work begin! Read more here. If you found this helpful, please share…FacebookGoogleTwitterLinkedin
Like most mountain resort communities throughout the intermountain west, residents and employees making their living in Mammoth Lakes often cannot afford local housing prices – that is, even if they can find a home. This article discusses our team’s history in the area and observations, past and present, regarding the housing “crisis” in Mammoth Lakes. Read more here. If you found this helpful, please share…FacebookGoogleTwitterLinkedin
