There is an ever-increasing demand for affordable homes in the United States for providing security and shelter to middle-class American workers. Many Americans are finding homeownership exorbitantly high and beyond their means. As such, these underserved people are hugely interested to live with their families in communities by availing themselves of safe and affordable workforce housing units. It has made way for strategic opportunities for the underprivileged professionals or the low to median income group to buy or rent affordable housing units close to their workplace. Police officers, teachers, and even nurses can avail affordable housing opportunities! Maxwell Drever is the pioneer of the concept of converting old motels and hotels into workforce housing units.
With travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 global pandemic, numerous motels and hotels had encountered hard times. Policymakers thought of using this opportunity to make the most of the struggling hospitality sector by transforming old and run-down hotels and motels into affordable and permanent housing units for the homeless. New York City showed the way, and other cities followed suit. Today many other global cities are experimenting with the idea or concept of converting hotels and motels into housing units for the mid-income workforce.
What Is Affordable Workforce Housing?
Workforce housing is supposed to be affordable housing units for ownership or rental purposes designed for workers belonging to the moderate to mid-income critical workforce. These housing units should be near their workplace. Affordable Workforce Housing has come up with multiple benefits to working families.
Tenants Can Fulfill Rent Demands
According to Maxwell Drever, the objective of providing workforce housing is to help working professionals restrict their rental expenses to 30 percent of their salary. In other projects, workforce employees need to deal with much higher numbers. They often end up paying almost 50 percent of their income. Cash flow will be consistent and steady, thanks to affordable housing opportunities, but ROI may not be high.
Relatively Less Competition for Investors
Less competition implies that an affordable workforce housing project will, in all probability, be the only workforce project in a particular locality. As such, you will be receiving multiple offers. Based on the high demand for affordable housing units, real estate investors may invest in nearby hotels and motels to expand their portfolios.
Long Term and Steady Income
Affordable workforce housing will be very much in demand for many years to come. Work is going on, and it may take several years to fulfill the ever-rising workforce housing needs. However, several projects are coming up, and they will be providing the opportunity to boost your overall economy and secure robust and alternative resources for steady income.
Conclusion
You may come across specific laws and regulations that may make things hard for affordable housing projects by converting motels and hotels. Lack of adequate affordable housing opportunities, low vacancy rates, etc. has motivated pioneers to create affordable housing units by converting hotel and motel rooms.