FM Chamber of Commerce Workforce Study: Part 3 - Housing

The Fargo-Moorhead Chamber of Commerce has taken some solid first steps to helping improve the economic security and prosperity of North Dakotans living the Fargo-Moorhead Region. 

The release of their Regional Workforce Study in June 2015 was impressive in that it included an often forgotten section, “BUILD: Develop a framework for financial independence and upward mobility for workers in low-wage and basic-skill jobs.”

August 31^st and September 4^th NDESPA examined the Fargo-Moorhead Workforce Study released in June 2015.  Today, we are looking at the second component of their BUILD Strategy, which deals with increasing “access to and the supply of affordable housing.”

The primary components of the affordable housing strategy are two-fold.  First, the study states that they want to expand the FM (Fargo-Moorhead) Coalition for Homeless Persons’ Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund.  The second is advocating “for making rental units and housing available for low-income working families, particularly adjacent to major employment centers.”

While expanding the Risk Mitigation Fund and making rental units and housing available for working families are impressive and ambitious goals, there are some warning signs regarding these two options that must be faced.

First, the Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund, a new and innovative program based on ideas coming from Oregon, was set up to provide a housing safety-net for our most vulnerable populations. 

People with disabilities, mental health issues, infirmities due to age, and children, need help first and foremost since they are the most vulnerable to homelessness, food insecurity, and health insecurity.  Housing and support for these populations must be considered in concert with industry’s need for housing for their workforce.

Second, the FM Chamber of Commerce advocating for an increase in rental and housing units for working families of low-income is sound policy.  But, planning on placing them adjacent to major employment centers might result in neighborhoods divided.  Why not have mixed-use housing plans put in place, where everyone would have equal access to services, including entertainment, medical, transportation, and food? 

It is great that the FM Chamber of Commerce is looking at the community support structures in place when examining their workforce needs.  They should likewise look strategically to the future and address the quality of life of their employees and communities by exploring effective multi-use planning, including expanding transportation.

The FM Regional Workforce Study has placed that region at a crossroads.  They have the ability to move their communities in a direction that helps everyone, rather than just a few. 

Next week we will be looking at how the FM Chamber of Commerce plans on taking on the statewide problem of lack of access to childcare.