The following issues have been addressed in the three previous articles Engage Estero prepared on Workforce Housing.
In this report, we explain what actions have been taken by other municipalities to help implement workforce housing to address the difficulties faced by recently qualified teachers, healthcare workers, other young professionals, and first responders.
Southern Lee County is at a crossroads. As our community continues to grow, so do the challenges we face—traffic congestion, rising housing costs, and limited access to talent for local businesses. These issues may seem like separate problems, but they share a common root: our zoning and land development ordinances.
Zoning ordinances might seem abstract to many residents. They are discussed in city council meetings but do not directly impact daily life. However, these regulations play a critical role in shaping our community, influencing everything from the types of homes built to how far we must drive to work.
Much of southern Lee County is currently zoned for low-density housing—think single-family homes on large lots. While this might sound appealing, it comes with hidden costs.
Low-density housing drives up the price of land, making it harder for young professionals, first-time homebuyers, and essential workers to find workforce housing close to where they work. This is not just a housing issue; it’s a community issue. When people can’t afford to live near their jobs, they’re forced to commute longer distances, adding to our already congested roads and increasing the cost of living for everyone.
Moreover, Homeowners Associations (HOAs) often impose additional restrictions, such as limiting overnight parking for commercial vehicles. This might seem like a small detail, but it further restricts housing options and increases costs for those just starting their careers.
One of the most visible effects of our current zoning practices is traffic congestion. With entry-level housing concentrated in distant, high-density areas, many residents must spend hours on the road daily. This reduces quality of life and strains our infrastructure, leading to higher maintenance costs and longer commutes for everyone.
The paradox here is that while low-density zoning is often intended to preserve the character of our neighborhoods, it contributes to the problems—like traffic—that residents are trying to avoid. By spreading out homes over larger areas, we push people further away from their jobs, services, and amenities, making it necessary to drive longer distances.
To address these challenges head-on, we must rethink our zoning and land development ordinances. We can create more affordable options for entry-level professionals and essential workers by allowing higher-density housing in appropriate areas. This would help alleviate traffic congestion by reducing commute times and make it easier for businesses to attract and retain the talent they need to thrive.
Increased density doesn’t mean sacrificing our community’s character. Thoughtful planning can ensure that new developments are integrated into existing neighborhoods in a way that enhances, rather than detracts from, our quality of life.
Mixed-use developments, for example, can bring shops, restaurants, and services closer to where people live, reducing the need for long car trips and fostering a greater sense of community.
Portland, Oregon
Portland has enacted various zoning and permitting reforms to increase the availability of affordable housing. The city’s “Inclusionary Housing Program” mandates that developers set aside some new residential units for low- and moderate-income households. Portland has also adjusted zoning laws to allow for higher-density housing and more flexible development standards, which support the creation of workforce housing.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s “Mandatory Housing Affordability” (MHA) program is an example of a municipal initiative to address housing affordability through zoning changes. The MHA requires developers to include affordable housing in their projects or contribute to an affordable housing fund. The city has also tried to streamline the permitting process for projects that include affordable units, which helps accelerate workforce housing development.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis has made significant changes to its zoning code to promote affordable housing. The city’s “Minneapolis 2040” plan includes provisions for increasing density and reducing zoning restrictions in various neighborhoods. This plan allows for more multifamily housing and addresses housing inequities by increasing the supply of affordable and workforce housing.
Assessing the viability of a specific project and how it will turn out is always a concern for municipalities. In Toronto, the council has implemented a stepwise model to determine the viability of each workforce housing initiative. They pointed out that in reviewing existing workforce housing models in Canada and abroad, they identified several important factors that could produce a good workforce housing model.
They then grouped these factors into six categories, highlighting several questions that can help determine each project’s affordability and scalability. This provided the council with a modeling approach (see appended). They use this formula to evaluate each project’s viability and economic outcome.
For example, Options for Homes (Options) is Canada’s largest non-profit developer working solely to make homeownership affordable. A mission-based social enterprise, Options works to build suitable quality condominiums accessible to middle-income households who can save just 5% toward their down payment.
Options create affordability for these households through their down payment loan program—a shared-equity mortgage with no interest and no fees required until the buyer sells the unit and pays Options back their share in the home. Options has delivered housing to more than 3,000 people across 13 condo communities in the Toronto GTA.
Engage Estero emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue, requiring collaborative efforts from local governments, businesses, community organizations, and residents. Southern Lee County has the potential to shape its future for the benefit of all residents, but achieving this goal demands a shift in our approach to zoning and land development. The focus should not merely be on constructing more homes but on establishing a sustainable, inclusive community where everyone can live, work, and thrive.
Prioritizing affordable workforce housing and transportation solutions can drive economic development, enhance community services, and improve Lee County residents’ overall quality of life. Starting with zoning ordinances, we can tackle the underlying causes of many current issues and lay the groundwork for a more vibrant, resilient Southern Lee County in the future.
It is imperative to act now before these challenges become insurmountable. Let’s join forces to build a community that reflects our shared values and meets the needs of all its residents. It’s time to unite and make a tangible impact on our community’s future.
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