About a year ago, we were reflecting on what constitutes the American Dream. For many people, safe, affordable housing is the foundation of that dream. But, like a lot of communities in our country, Alachua County continues to face a significant housing shortage. Several factors contribute to this challenge locally.
A recent study by the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies at UF found that Alachua County needs upwards of 5,000 additional housing units by 2030 to meet population growth and demand. We know that Florida has seen a massive increase in people moving to the state. In our community, the largest group migrating here comes from southeast and southwest Florida.
Our county also sees a significant inflow of workers each day: of the approximately 125,000 employees working here, 55 percent live in the county, but 45 percent do not, resulting in about 27,000 workers making a pretty significant commute just to get to their jobs. An inability to find affordable housing close to these jobs is one factor in choosing to commute. Today, to live in a single family home in Alachua County, buyers need to earn a minimum of $65 per hour to own or $41 per hour to rent that home.
Several exciting developments—pun intended—highlight the efforts our community is making in response, providing new options across the spectrum of residents. Archer Place, a complex that will help meet the demand from south Floridians relocating here, broke ground this month. Slated for a December 2026 completion, the 92-unit luxury complex will offer penthouses and on-site amenities such as a climate-controlled pool, a fitness and business center and a clubhouse kitchen with a dining area.
The Hutchinson Foundation, in partnership with the City of Gainesville, recently celebrated a groundbreaking for Jessie’s Village to bring 22 affordable apartment homes to the southeast side of town. Also in partnership with the City, Bright Community Trust is working to bring 10 single-family affordable homes online.
Bright retains ownership of the lots while income-eligible homeowners purchase the houses with a long-term lease on the land. Four of these homes have been completed and turned over to their new owners. Striking middle ground—another pun!—the City has also launched a new initiative to assist homeowners who want to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to their properties. The City is building two prototypes to showcase the potential of these units, and will be providing the design plans to the public free of charge.
The housing crunch will not be resolved overnight. But innovative solutions and collaborative efforts between our local governments and private industry will make a difference in helping restore the American dream of a safe, comfortable home for all.
Editor’s note: This is the latest in a series of business columns sponsored by Pavlov Media.
What is affordable housing? 2000 dollars a month in rent or 2500 month mortgage doesn’t constitute affordable housing. Please define “Affordable Housing ” before saying it’s a good thing. When politicians say affordable housing it seems it most likely means that the city or county gave some serious tax breaks to rich developers to come build an ugly apartment building and make it as unaffordable to poor people as possible . Liberals will always put dollars over people.
It’s not a Liberal/Conservative issue. It’s rich developers vs. those struggling to afford any decent housing.
I’ve been telling everyone I know this all about some politicians making side cash with the developers.
The Mainstreet Daily News should be ashamed of publishing this sort of pro-growth propaganda by the C of C. We cannot and should not attempt to provide housing for each and every person who has fouled their nest elsewhere and now wants to come here. If we do so our environment, community, and way of life will be destroyed forever.
I’d like to know where they got this number: “Today, to live in a single family home in Alachua County, buyers need to earn a minimum of $65 per hour to own”. I don’t make near that amount and I can still, fortunately for the time being, own a house in GNV.