Public invited – and encouraged – to participate in chamber-led workforce housing discussion
You are cordially invited to attend a county-wide conversation regarding the crisis of workforce housing in Eagle County hosted by the Vail Valley Partnership. We feel that your voice is important to both identifying the major obstacles that stand in our way, along with the important task of moving this initiative forward. This first meeting will be an overview of where we stand and will serve as a guide to setting future meeting topics. At the VVP we are committed to working with local businesses, government entities, special districts, school districts, builders, developers and engaged community members to study this issue in depth. Our vision is a series of meetings, each with their own focus on areas and agendas. Our intention at the culmination of this series of meetings is to be able to gather community feedback from a broad sector and provide a roadmap to the solutions we collectively gather.
We intentionally use the word “crisis” when speaking about workforce housing in the valley. In the last election polling, data showed us that an overwhelming majority of the community said this was an issue that needed immediate attention.
“Leadership began referring to its housing challenge as a “crisis.” That is important. When you are confronting a crisis, the time for talk is over and action on solutions becomes paramount.” John Tayor, Boulder Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, in a blog post entitled “Less Talk, More Action”.
We at the VVP share this sentiment and do believe that the tipping point has been reached. We receive calls daily from businesses, current valley residents, as well as those considering relocation, asking if we have insight into this crisis.
“County and Town governments and most of the community collective, including Eagle County schools personnel, have agreed that housing needs are significant and should be an issue receiving priority action. Comparisons of income and housing costs and availability of housing stock have been independently tabulated and confirmed to be inadequate.” From the General Election ballot from November 8th, 2016, in support of 1A, the sales tax initiative proposed for housing. While that ballot measure did fail, the need is still ever present.
We are looking for all interested parties, whether private, public or government based, to work with us in identifying long term solutions to this crisis. Yours is a voice that we would be honored to have in this initiative moving forward, as it is paramount to the continued success of this place we are privileged to call home. Please consider helping us in moving forward on this most important of issues.
When: March 2nd from 3PM-5PM*
Where: 1055 Edwards Village Blvd, Edwards, CO 81632. Eagle County Ambulance District Community Meeting Room
Please RSVP to Erik Williams, Director of Community Development at the Vail Valley Partnership
*we will plan a series of meetings to follow up as we create this roadmap
For more information on this topic please consider visiting our website at:
www.vailvalleypartnership.com/advocacy/workforce-housing/
With Gratitude,
Erik Williams
Director of Community Development, Vail Valley Partnership