The City held their first of two Housing Study Group Stakeholder Meetings on Tuesday. Approximately thirty people attended. The Meetings are being held in the Convention and Visitors Bureau Conference Room – 2700 Vine. Tonight’s Meetings are for Employers at 6 p.m. and open to anyone at 8 p.m.

The City of Hays’ recently completed Comprehensive Plan identified several key housing issues. Following up on the Comprehensive Plan, the Hays Board of Realtors, in conjunction with the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, commissioned a Housing Needs Assessment. The Housing Needs Assessment confirmed many of the issues brought to light in the Comprehensive Plan. These issues include:

• Overall home values in Hays are high compared to household income

• Not enough homes on the market at any given time

• A lack of affordable housing

• A lack of adequate entry level homes

• A need for more senior housing

• A lack of owner-occupied condos and townhomes

• A lack of higher-quality rental properties

In order to study the housing issues in more detail, the City Commission authorized a Housing Study Group. This group will study the various issues impacting housing in Hays and make formal policy recommendations to the Hays City Commission.

Part of the Housing Study Group process involves gathering input and holding discussions with the various stakeholders in the community. On April 23rd and 24th the Study Group will be holding stakeholder group meetings at the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau building. Interested persons are encouraged to examine the meeting schedule and attend the meeting(s) where they can provide input.

Public engagement will help the Housing Study Group define the problem and develop effective policy recommendations.