1. Groundwork and Sharing Background Material January 16, 2018

2. Agenda
E. Background Material/Q&A F. Workforce Housing Task Force Charter and “Ground Rules” G. Wrap Up
A. Welcome
B. Public Comment
C. Overview of the County’s Public Meeting Law
D. What’s Your Housing Story?

3. What’s Your Housing Story?
Where was the first home that you lived on your own as an adult? (Tell me a little about it.)
How many times have you moved over your lifetime? What was the most challenging move?
What do you like best about the home and/or neighborhood you live in now?

4. Most Households Have at Least 1 Worker
Most of James City County’s households are working and have one or two earners. A small number, about 5% of households have 3 workers. About 8,772 (32%) households have no workers. Many non-working household are likely retired, senior households. James City County has about 8,839 (32%) households headed by a person who is 65 or older. James City County’s unemployment rate is consistent with the Virginia rate and is relatively low compared to the rest of the United States. The county’s average monthly unemployment rate was 4.5% in 2015, only one-tenth of a point higher than Virginia as a whole ACS 3-year data
2013 ACS 3-year data
2013 ACS 1-year data

5. Housing Affordability and Availability
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

6. Housing Affordability and Availability
Lower-cost units are in short supply
The number of households with housing affordability challenges is becoming severe
More than 13,000 households (48%) are not in a position to buy the typical home
More than 5,300 cannot afford the typical rent

7. Housing Affordability and Availability
Need to earn about $16.83/hr to secure decent housing. Below $35,000 in annual income it is very hard to find decent housing in James City County.

8. Background Material/Q&A
There was first, a regional study conducted by the National Housing Conference for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission or HRPDC. It identified James City County as one of the likely localities in the region to experience the greatest growth of Service Sector jobs and lacking the ability to house such a workforce.
The County then hired the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech to conduct a Housing Conditions Study. It concluded that a household needed to earn a minimum of $35k to afford to rent and $75k to purchase a home.
The Williamsburg Area Association of Realtors (WAAR) received grant funding which they used to hire William and Mary to study the Housing Needs of our area. They concluded that as much as one third of households in the County are cost-burdened in terms of housing. This means that due to high housing cost, households have decreased ability to afford the other necessities of life.
The most recent report is one conducted by Housing Virginia for the Health Foundation.
The totality of the findings in these reports necessitated the formation of this Taskforce as part of the County’s Strategic plan.

9. Wrap Up
Next meeting: Tuesday, February 20th 10:00am – 12:00pm