Bristol, Virginia Seeks Balance in Housing, Focuses on Needed Workforce Homes

Housing Concerns in Bristol

In Bristol, Virginia, home options may appear limited for those contemplating a move. Based on data from Zillow, average home values in the city have surged by 10% over the past year, reaching roughly $191,000. City council members continue to grapple with pressing issues, notably the lack of affordable housing options.

“Every city in our region, and actually across the country, has encountered problems with a lack of affordable workforce housing and a lack of up-to-date housing for people desiring to make Bristol their home,” expressed city council member Neal Osborne.

Looking to Regional Examples

A popular topic among city council meetings is the development of additional housing. Bristol may find inspiration from other regional cities: “Cities in the vicinity, like Gray, Johnson City, and Kingsport, are constructing new housing developments. This is a strategy that I believe Bristol needs to consider,” Osborne proposed.

Focus on Workforce Housing

The city has a particular type of housing in mind. City council member Anthony Farnum highlighted the point: “Certainly, there’s high-end, pricey housing, and there’s also low-income housing. What we’re looking for is a happy medium, what I like to term ‘workforce housing’.”

The need for suitable worker accommodations is particularly pertinent when engaging with larger corporations contemplating a move to Bristol. “If we attract their business to Bristol, and they hire a considerable amount of employees, where will those people live?” Farnum asked.

Increasing Employment Heightens Housing Demand

Many entities, such as the upcoming Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock, have announced intentions to hire hundreds of employees, thereby heightening the demand for suitable housing. City leaders reassured residents that several plans to augment housing availability within the city were currently underway.

“We’ve recently been in discussions with a number of developers and have announced several housing developments,” Osborne stated. He further revealed that a development near the under-construction casino was recently unveiled, although construction has yet to commence.

Continued Work Needed

While these developments signal a promising start, city council members maintain that there is still much work ahead. “Over the past decade, our area has seen a significant lack of new construction. This is a challenge that we still need to address, and we’re continuing our efforts to overcome it,” concluded Farnum.

Keeping the Community Informed

To stay updated on Bristol’s housing situation and future developments, residents are encouraged to follow city council meetings and sign up for newsletters which will provide essential updates and announcements.