We’ve had some good economic development news in Longview recently. New companies are coming, existing businesses are expanding, and we’re seeing significant investment in our community. A lot of work goes into making those announcements happen, and the Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO) and its partners deserve credit for that work.
But I’ve been thinking about something else as these projects have been announced.
Where are the people who fill those jobs going to live?
Some already live here. Some will commute from surrounding communities. Others will move to Longview, perhaps bringing their families with them. And that’s where a conversation about economic development becomes a conversation about housing.
It’s a connection I think we need to pay more attention to.
It’s Not Just About Building More Houses
Earlier this year, the City of Longview completed a Strategic Housing Study. One of its findings is that our community will need between 3,111 and 3,605 additional housing units by 2030.
That’s a pretty significant number. But what is interesting even more than the number is the type of housing we’ll need.
Think about the people who work in our community. We have young people entering the workforce, families with children, experienced professionals relocating for new opportunities and older residents who may be ready for something smaller. They’re not all looking for the same thing.
A young person graduating from Kilgore College may be looking for an affordable apartment or starter home. A family relocating to Longview may need a three-bedroom house. Someone nearing retirement might prefer a smaller home without a large yard to maintain.
And then there are people who already live here but would like to own a home and simply haven’t been able to make the numbers work.
The challenge isn’t necessarily that we don’t have enough houses. It’s whether we have the right mix of housing at prices people can afford.
Housing and Workforce Go Hand in Hand
We’ve spent a lot of time at the Chamber talking about workforce development. We’ve focused on education, technical training, childcare and making sure our employers can find people with the skills they need. Housing belongs in that conversation, too.
Imagine trying to recruit someone to Longview. You’ve found a great candidate. The salary works, the job is a good fit, and they’re interested in moving here. Then they start looking for a place to live. If they can’t find something that meets their needs and fits their budget, that becomes one more obstacle to getting them here.
Or consider an employee who already works in Longview but lives 45 minutes away because that’s where they could find affordable housing. What does that commute mean for their family, their transportation costs or their willingness to stay with an employer?
I don’t think every business is experiencing these challenges in the same way. But housing is certainly something we ought to be asking employers about. And it’s one reason the Chamber has become more involved in the issue.
We’re Already Working on It
Last year, the Longview Chamber established a Housing Solutions Task Force to work alongside the mayor’s housing efforts.
Our intention wasn’t to create another committee that talks about a problem everyone already knows exists. We wanted to bring together people who could help identify solutions and figure out how to move some of those solutions forward.
The task force has included people from the business community, city government, financial institutions, education and other community organizations.
We’ve been looking at several possibilities.
One is redevelopment. We have vacant lots and underutilized properties throughout Longview. Could we make better use of some of those properties? Are there obstacles that make redevelopment unnecessarily difficult?
Another is homeownership. There are already programs available to help qualified first-time homebuyers, but are people aware of them? Are there gaps that need to be addressed?
We’ve also begun exploring employer-assisted housing. Are there ways employers and financial institutions could work together to help employees find or purchase homes?
The city is doing its part as well, reviewing development regulations and exploring changes that could encourage additional housing options.
We’re still in the early stages of much of this work. We haven’t solved anything yet. But we’ve identified some opportunities, brought the right people into the conversation and begun assigning responsibility for moving ideas forward.
That’s a good place to start.
We Need to Think About This Together
One thing I’ve learned from working on community issues is that very few of them fit neatly within the responsibilities of a single organization. Housing is certainly one of those issues.
The city has a role. So do developers, builders, financial institutions, employers, schools and community organizations. And the Chamber has a role in making sure the business community is part of the conversation.
We also need to remember that Longview doesn’t operate in isolation. People who work here live throughout Gregg County and neighboring communities. Our housing and workforce challenges don’t stop at the city limits.
As we continue attracting investment and creating jobs, we need to give some thought to what that growth requires beyond the workplace.
That doesn’t mean every employer needs to get into the housing business. But it does mean understanding how housing affects their ability to attract and retain employees, and where partnerships might make a difference.
I’m encouraged by the work that’s already underway, and I’m interested to see what comes from the conversations our task force is having.
Because the next time we celebrate an announcement of 100 new jobs, I’d like us to be thinking about more than the investment and the payroll.
I’d like us to be thinking about the people who will fill those jobs, the families who may come with them and whether we’re making Longview a place where they can build a life.
