Wayne Community Housing Development Corporation, in cooperation with the City of Wayne, is currently working on updating our housing study. We have hired RDG Planning and Design out of Omaha to facilitate the process. We will be holding focus group meetings in April in multiple sessions with several different demographic groups. Your opinion and input is vital to our success. Your participation in the completion of the online survey will give us valuable information regarding the community’s opinion on the housing needs of Wayne and the surrounding communities.
The opportunity to update our housing study comes at a critical time for the housing situation in Wayne. Our last housing study was completed in 2004, and is no longer valid for pursuit of any grant funding. As we continue our comprehensive effort to attract and retain a sufficient workforce, I know that having an adequate supply of affordable, attractive housing is a vital component. Potential Wayne residents may not move to our community if they cannot find a suitable place to live that is within their means. We hear regularly in our office about families and professionals that would like to move to Wayne for an employment opportunity, that struggle to find a suitable place to live, especially in the rental arena.
Housing is a vital part of economic development. It not only effects recruitment of new residents, but the retention of existing employees as well. Historically, a resident that purchases a home is much more likely to stay in the community. Certainly employees have many other options in today’s competitive work environment, so any tools that we have available to attract and retain them in Wayne is a positive step for our community. We look forward to using the new housing study as a tool to maximize further development in our community, and meet the needs of our population. We will continue to look toward the future and utilize the study as a foundation to plan for our current and future housing needs. Please take a few minutes and complete the online housing survey. I thank you for your time and appreciate your participation.
Sincerely,
Kari Wren
Executive Director, Wayne Community Housing Development Corporation