Housing attainability has become one of the most critical issues facing our local workforce, impacting the ability to attract and retain skilled talent across Mesa County. The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has been hard at work gathering insights to better understand how housing challenges are affecting our community and, most importantly, to identify solutions that can address the needs of our diverse workforce. Recently, we conducted a comprehensive survey capturing the perspectives of over 300 community members, and we are now releasing the findings to shed light on these critical issues. Access the full survey summary here.
Key Findings
The survey reveals that housing affordability challenges go beyond income level, affecting workers at all stages of their careers. High housing costs, limited availability, and financial barriers are major obstacles for many residents. Both rental housing and homeownership emerged as essential parts of the solution, with each playing a unique role in supporting a stable and resilient workforce. While rental housing provides flexibility for those entering the workforce or needing immediate options, homeownership fosters long-term stability and investment in the community—two elements that are essential to economic growth and workforce retention.
Diverse Solutions Needed
At the Grand Junction Area Chamber, we recognize that no single solution can solve the issue of housing affordability. Instead, what’s needed is a cohesive, community-driven approach. Our survey findings emphasize the need for diverse solutions that prioritize putting roofs over heads and ensure all workforce levels have access to housing that aligns with their needs. This means not only developing affordable rental units but also creating attainable pathways to homeownership, especially for middle-income workers who often fall outside of traditional assistance programs.
Local strategies to address these needs must focus on reducing costs without sacrificing quality. That’s why we advocate for impact fee credits and streamlined permitting processes to prevent additional costs that make housing less attainable. By supporting streamlined processes and removing barriers that unnecessarily drive up costs, Mesa County can encourage the development of affordable options while balancing high-quality living standards.
A Collaborative Effort for Our Community
Addressing workforce housing requires a united front, with input and action from all parts of the community. The business community, developers, local government, and community organizations each play an essential role in making meaningful progress. As we move forward, we are calling on all partners to join us, bringing their best resources and expertise to the table. This collaborative approach will involve having tough conversations, learning from setbacks, and celebrating each milestone achieved. By working together, we ensure that every solution strengthens our community’s capacity to support our workforce.
Next Steps
As we release these survey findings, the Chamber remains committed to fostering an inclusive conversation and driving proactive solutions. We will continue advocating for the diverse housing solutions that meet the needs of our workforce, whether through promoting incentives for developers, supporting financial assistance programs, or working directly with employers to educate and guide employees on attainable housing pathways. With everyone at the table, committed to this common goal, we can create a stronger, more resilient Mesa County.
For those interested in exploring the full findings and learning more about the specific challenges and solutions identified, please review the full survey summary here. Together, we can create a housing environment that values and supports every level of our workforce, laying the foundation for a thriving, dynamic community.