Washington Area Housing Partnership Workforce Housing Briefing City of Greenbelt July 31, 2006 Hon. Barbara Favola Chair, Washington Area Housing Partnership Member, Arlington County Board

Workforce Housing In the Metropolitan Washington Region, we are a victim of our own success. This region is a great place to live, work, visit and invest. Unfortunately though, it is unaffordable for many who live here.

What is "workforce housing"? How does workforce housing differ from affordable housing? –workforce housing is typically associated with housing affordable to households earning incomes from approximately 60% - 120% of area median income. –2006 Area Median Income is: $90,300 Source: HUD AMI for the DC Metropolitan Statistical Area Workforce Housing Continued Workforce housing includes single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, starter homes, and apartments that are affordable to area workers.

Workforce Housing Occupations Earning Between 60% -120% of the Area Median Income: –Emergency Medical Technician, Registered Nurse, Fireman, Police Officer, Librarians, Teachers, and municipal employees providing essential services to our communities Low Income Occupations earning between 30% - 60% of the area median Income: –Religious Workers, Social Workers, Dental Assistants, Cashier, Waiter/Waitress, Food Preparation Worker, and Grounds Keeper Who Needs Workforce / Affordable Housing?

$101,314 Annual Income Needed to Afford an Existing Home Fire Fighter Home Ownership Market 2006 Median Home Price in Prince George’s County $319,000 $41,800 $49,500 $55,580 $39,310 $20,320 Paralegal Middle School Teacher Emergency Medical Technician Child Care Worker Source: Center for Housing Policy, MRIS, and WAHP

$22.83 / 2 Bdrm1 Hourly Income Needed to Afford Cashier Rental Market 2005 Fair Market Rent Prince George’s County $9.09 $16.17 $13.08 $10.12 $14.42 Religious Worker CooksHousekeeperHairdresser $20.10 / 1 Bdrm 1 Bedroom $1,045 2 Bedroom $1,187 Source: Center for Housing Policy, MRIS, and WAHP

 Attracts new residents that provide everyday services to a community, such as teachers, child care providers and law enforcement officers.  Creates options for residents to live near their place of employment, thus reducing traffic congestion and time spent away from families. –Housing Costs are crucial to 67.6% of business location decisions. Source: Development Magazine  Means never having to tell your graduates, new families, disabled, or seniors, "you must leave us because there is no housing for you." Workforce Housing Benefits the Community and the Economy

Promoting Mixed-Income Communities The Partnership recognizes the benefits of mixed-income communities and is working to promote affordable housing tools encouraging mixed-income communities  Alleviate Concentrations of Poverty  Producing High Quality Developments  Enhanced Safety and Community Services

The Partnership: Convenes regional leaders and stakeholders to advocate for expansion of affordable housing opportunities. –Researches and reports on local housing policies and provides technical assistance to non-profit organizations and local governments. –Recognizes successful local government policies and programs through the Partnership’s Best Practice Awards. –Includes lending institutions, national advocacy groups, local governments and affordable housing developers.

Outlines affordable housing best practices Provides examples of successful implementation by local governments Launched Dec The Toolkit

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