HomeMy WebLinkAbout8 Update on TTWHA & Review of Housing Survey
AGENDA ITEM____8____
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MEETING DATE: November 4, 2020
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Steven Poncelet, Strategic Affairs Director
SUBJECT: Update on the Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency
and Review of Employee Housing Needs Study
APPROVED BY______________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency results of the
employee housing needs study.
BACKGROUND:
The District has for a long time identified employee access to achievable local housing as
an important need for employee attraction and retention. The District has also had a need
for short-term/overnight housing for staff to improve emergency response; particularly
during winter storms. To address local housing challenges, District staff have been
collaborating with local agencies, participated in the Mountain Housing Council 1.0, and are
seeking new ways to address the local housing crisis.
Starting in 2018, the District began discussing a formal partnership with Tahoe Truckee
Unified School District, Tahoe Forest Hospital District, and Truckee Tahoe Airport District
(Member Agencies) to leverage resource and collaborate on ways to improve the Member
Agencies employee’s access to housing. Through a series of meeting and investigations, it
was determined that forming a Joint Power Authority (JPA) for housing was the best path
forward.
In mid-2020, the TTWHA Board started to focus on the initial steps needed to define the
key goals and activities of TTWHA. This included the development of a work plan, creation
of a website, a TTWHA Board retreat, and conducting a TTWHA Employee Housing Needs
Study to better understand the scope of the housing issues and the needs of the Member
Agencies employees.
The TTWHA entered into a contract with WSW Consulting, Inc. to conduct a housing
survey of all Member Agencies employees (over 1,650 total employees). The purpose of
the study was to understand the: Impact of housing cost/availability; employee housing
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problems/needs and gaps; and potential programs. The methodology included: employee
surveys; focus groups and interviews; housing market information; and review of existing
TTWHA Member Agencies’ employee housing programs.
Over 50% (828) of the Member Agencies employees completed the survey and the final
report is Attachment 1. Survey results were analyzed at the macro level for all participants
but also broken down by each member agency throughout the report. In general, the
survey documents that employee housing is a major issue overall for recruitment and
retention. This includes: new employees needing to find housing (rent or own); renters
wanting to buy, and owners that want to move-up or repair. Some concerning results
include 16% of Member Agencies employees considering leaving employment due to
housing concerns and 43% saying that it is very difficult to find housing.
It is important to note that the survey was conducted in early summer before the COVID-19
‘Zoom Town’ real estate boom had fully hit our region. It is believed that both the costs to
own or rent housing have increased dramatically in the last few months making the housing
crisis even more acute. TTWHA is exploring many opportunities to collaborate, leverage
resources, and make a meaningful impact on the availability of achievable locals housing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: TTWHA Employee Housing Need Study, September 2020