Affordable Villages Family Housing = Staffing Shortage Solution

[LieutenantEd]

Many of us about 5 decades ago planned and dreamed of our first home and an end to renting. A starter home, just the basics for our families. After a few years, maybe a move up to the next level as our budget allowed.In order to attract working families to the new schools, neighborhoods, and careers in Villages businesses. The Villages started with affordable Manufactured homes, with several of those manufacturers nearby, a partnership with The Villages could provide a path to affordable first time home ownership in the newest planned family areas. With current 2/2 Patio Villa prices approaching $300,000, it’s time to consider something different for first time homebuyers in the new planned family Village areas.

[retiredguy123]

I moved to The Villages because it is an over 55 retirement community and the house values are higher than the surrounding areas. I hope you are not suggesting that we make it more affordable for younger new home buyers. If that happens, I will be moving somewhere else.

[Bogie Shooter]

Many of us about 5 decades ago planned and dreamed of our first home and an end to renting. A starter home, just the basics for our families. After a few years, maybe a move up to the next level as our budget allowed.In order to attract working families to the new schools, neighborhoods, and careers in Villages businesses. The Villages started with affordable Manufactured homes, with several of those manufacturers nearby, a partnership with The Villages could provide a path to affordable first time home ownership in the newest planned family areas. With current 2/2 Patio Villa prices approaching $300,000, it’s time to consider something different for first time homebuyers in the new planned family Village areas.

The villas are not selling?

[Stu from NYC]

I moved to The Villages because it is an over 55 retirement community and the house values are higher than the surrounding areas. I hope you are not suggesting that we make it more affordable for younger new home buyers. If that happens, I will be moving somewhere else.

As long as new homes are selling as they are the developer is not going to want to lower prices nor should he.

[Babubhat]

It’s not optimal to build low priced homes with the cost of construction. The bond has become enormous.

I am constantly amazed that people who do not have the finances demand to live in an area at a low price.

[jimbomaybe]

Many of us about 5 decades ago planned and dreamed of our first home and an end to renting. A starter home, just the basics for our families. After a few years, maybe a move up to the next level as our budget allowed.In order to attract working families to the new schools, neighborhoods, and careers in Villages businesses. The Villages started with affordable Manufactured homes, with several of those manufacturers nearby, a partnership with The Villages could provide a path to affordable first time home ownership in the newest planned family areas. With current 2/2 Patio Villa prices approaching $300,000, it’s time to consider something different for first time homebuyers in the new planned family Village areas.
This is a 55 and older RETIREMENT community, taylored to and for older retirees, that was the original idea and obviously a successful one, it has attracted many businesses as the resident population by in large do not work but continue to be consumers ,, What are you thinking ?? if people wanted to normal hustle and bustle they wouldn't be here

[ThirdOfFive]

Many of us about 5 decades ago planned and dreamed of our first home and an end to renting. A starter home, just the basics for our families. After a few years, maybe a move up to the next level as our budget allowed.In order to attract working families to the new schools, neighborhoods, and careers in Villages businesses. The Villages started with affordable Manufactured homes, with several of those manufacturers nearby, a partnership with The Villages could provide a path to affordable first time home ownership in the newest planned family areas. With current 2/2 Patio Villa prices approaching $300,000, it’s time to consider something different for first time homebuyers in the new planned family Village areas.
"Can of worms" comes to mind...

I understand the rationale. Planned "family areas" would be designed to house people working in TV. But those workers already have children attending TV charter schools so they ALREADY have access to TV in order to work. Moving them closer, or developing additional housing in or adjacent to TV, is really a solution for which no problem really exists.

An additional goal of such development, as I understand it, would be to reduce vehicular traffic (assumedly that traffic consisting of workers coming into or out of TV) but really that seems minor compared to the traffic problems caused by a lagging infrastructure and hordes of Villagers (particularly in high "snowbird" season) already clogging our street and roads.

Finally, "manufactured housing" in the minds of some (many?) is synonymous with "trailer park", with all the negative connotations that such a development would bring. Maybe it is an ungrounded fear, but manufactured housing in TV for young people working in service jobs would assuredly bring in people that the retired and older residents of TV do NOT want around and in many cases moved here to escape the problems that such a population inevitably seems to bring.

In my mind such a plan would cause more problems than it solves.

[jimbomaybe]

It’s not optimal to build low priced homes with the cost of construction. The bond has become enormous.

I am constantly amazed that people who do not have the finances demand to live in an area at a low price.

Next thing Ed will tell us we should raise the bond/taxes to subsidise the housing he proposes

[Babubhat]

Interest rates will take care of housing quick. These people can’t afford the interest rates. Got six houses in my village sitting for weeks yet no price cuts

[Stu from NYC]

Interest rates will take care of housing quick. These people can’t afford the interest rates. Got six houses in my village sitting for weeks yet no price cuts

Seems like we have reached the top of the market.

[jimbomaybe]

Seems like we have reached the top of the market.
Some people were waring us of impending inflation before the spike, some of the same people are warning of the possibility of a recession, I guess that would make for price reductions, or maybe stagflation? (I can never find my crystal ball when I need it)

[retiredguy123]

I am disappointed that they are cheapening the new houses. They are building some houses without garages, and they stopped building Premier houses.

[Bogie Shooter]

I am disappointed that they are cheapening the new houses. They are building some houses without garages, and they stopped building Premier houses.

Have you seen any of the new Designers? Who needs Premiers?

[GpaVader]

I agree on the need for affordable housing for young people. Affordable housing to me doesn't necessarily mean home ownership though. We rented for a number of years before buying our first home. People want and sometimes need to work close to where they live. TV is a sprawling community and it surrounds a lot of existing communities. We see a lot of apartment developments popping up in Wildwood, and I would guess Lady Lake and some of the other areas as well. While I agree the labor shortage is a TV problem, I am not sure your solution is a solution.

[Stu from NYC]

I am disappointed that they are cheapening the new houses. They are building some houses without garages, and they stopped building Premier houses.

Very surprised they have been building homes without garages, do wish ours was larger bit of a tight squeeze

[champion6]

Many of us about 5 decades ago planned and dreamed of our first home and an end to renting. A starter home, just the basics for our families. After a few years, maybe a move up to the next level as our budget allowed. In order to attract working families to the new schools, neighborhoods, and careers in Villages businesses. The Villages started with affordable Manufactured homes, with several of those manufacturers nearby, a partnership with The Villages could provide a path to affordable first time home ownership in the newest planned family areas. With current 2/2 Patio Villa prices approaching $300,000, it’s time to consider something different for first time home buyers in the new planned family Village areas.First, I don't agree that TV is responsible for providing family housing - even though TV has already built some, and is going to build more. This IS NOT their primary focus, nor their core competence.

Second, look at the attached list that I have developed over the years -- family housing in this area. For many home builders other than TV, this IS their primary focus. From the research I have done while developing this list, they appear to offer a variety of choices, from affordable to luxury.

Third, you began by referring to what we seniors experienced 5 decades ago. In my opinion, our experiences, and the choices we had to make, were just as challenging and difficult for us as those facing current young adults. The values of prices and wages are different, but the choices are no different.

[ThirdOfFive]

I agree on the need for affordable housing for young people. Affordable housing to me doesn't necessarily mean home ownership though. We rented for a number of years before buying our first home. People want and sometimes need to work close to where they live. TV is a sprawling community and it surrounds a lot of existing communities. We see a lot of apartment developments popping up in Wildwood, and I would guess Lady Lake and some of the other areas as well. While I agree the labor shortage is a TV problem, I am not sure your solution is a solution.
Agree. I think that renting to workers (apartments or homes) makes far more sense than selling them a home in TV. There is no guarantee that people who purchase a home in order to work in TV will maintain that job indefinitely, and it a far quicker process to evict someone who is behind on their rent than it is for a bank or lending company to go through the rigmarole of foreclosing.

Cold? Probably. But that's reality.

[coralway]

compared to other states, home prices here are quite low. Folks move here because it's full of seniors, and home prices are cheap. You get what you pay for, houses not very well constructed, cheap materials, ridiculously small lots.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I think it'd be great to have a family-oriented townhouse/condo complex immediately outside the Villages, where families can either rent (long-term, 1 year minimum) or buy, or a cooperative (not the best option but some like them). Most people who WOULD move to them, are people who have at least one household member working for, or in, the Villages. Low level management, teachers, etc.

Generally speaking, people don't move out of town or out of state just so they can be close to their part-time job. So even "affordable" housing wouldn't convince burger flippers or waitresses to move here. People will move here hoping to find full time work and might settle for part time until something better comes up, but that's what we're already dealing with now.

[Dr.Butler]

I think it'd be great to have a family-oriented townhouse/condo complex immediately outside the Villages, where families can either rent (long-term, 1 year minimum) or buy, or a cooperative (not the best option but some like them). Most people who WOULD move to them, are people who have at least one household member working for, or in, the Villages. Low level management, teachers, etc.

Generally speaking, people don't move out of town or out of state just so they can be close to their part-time job. So even "affordable" housing wouldn't convince burger flippers or waitresses to move here. People will move here hoping to find full time work and might settle for part time until something better comes up, but that's what we're already dealing with now.

Just an observance. At least before the Pandemic, people were working as "burger flippers" and such, as a full time job and one of many.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Just an observance. At least before the Pandemic, people were working as "burger flippers" and such, as a full time job and one of many.

Yes, but most of them didn't move here specifically for the privilege of stuffing a fry bag for your grandson's Happy Meal. People don't move away from where they already live, for the purpose of working a minimum wage job that won't cover the cost of the move.

On the other hand - you might see a family of 4, 5, 6, 7 all of working age - move into a modest apartment, and everyone in the family is expected to contribute to the household expenses. That's really the only condition I can think of that would convince someone to move for the purpose of taking a minimum-wage job.

And - those are the jobs that need to be filled the most. So we return to the beginning of the cycle - how to attract workers to these jobs, when most people living in or near the Villages are retired and not looking for work at all.

[coffeebean]

I moved to The Villages because it is an over 55 retirement community and the house values are higher than the surrounding areas. I hope you are not suggesting that we make it more affordable for younger new home buyers. If that happens, I will be moving somewhere else.

Agree. I'm not sure I am understanding the thought process of the original poster.

[coffeebean]

"Can of worms" comes to mind...

I understand the rationale. Planned "family areas" would be designed to house people working in TV. But those workers already have children attending TV charter schools so they ALREADY have access to TV in order to work. Moving them closer, or developing additional housing in or adjacent to TV, is really a solution for which no problem really exists.

An additional goal of such development, as I understand it, would be to reduce vehicular traffic (assumedly that traffic consisting of workers coming into or out of TV) but really that seems minor compared to the traffic problems caused by a lagging infrastructure and hordes of Villagers (particularly in high "snowbird" season) already clogging our street and roads.

Finally, "manufactured housing" in the minds of some (many?) is synonymous with "trailer park", with all the negative connotations that such a development would bring. Maybe it is an ungrounded fear, but manufactured housing in TV for young people working in service jobs would assuredly bring in people that the retired and older residents of TV do NOT want around and in many cases moved here to escape the problems that such a population inevitably seems to bring.

In my mind such a plan would cause more problems than it solves.

The bedroom community is what we left behind. Hope it doesn't come knocking on our front door.

[Nucky]

Please don't let this thread fall to the level of calling our neighborhood a Trailer Park or some equally low shot at the 4000 plus homes over here.

It's against the rules of the site to take a typed shot at another poster and taking that shot at 4000 of them would be bad. I would take it personally.

We are fortunate to live where we do. I'm more and more grateful every day considering the things going on in the world.

It's no longer affordable over here. Regular but nice Manufactured Homes selling for $200K. Just nuts!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Agree. I'm not sure I am understanding the thought process of the original poster.

I see it the other way around. I see that the Villages has been so successful, that it's attracted tens of thousands of people who don't need/want a job anymore, but DO need people to serve them. I don't say that as a derogatory. I say it as a factual point.

Servers - whether medical or hospitality, are in huge demand. They are also the lowest paying jobs, other than perhaps agricultural workers (fruit pickers, immigrant employees of landscaping companies, etc).

Waiters, fast food employees, home health care aides, ambulance drivers, cooks. All these companies are hurting for employees.

Who normally fills those jobs in other states? Kids, immigrants, and young adults, for the most part. Not a judgment - it's just how it is.

The Villages has very few "family" properties available, you'll be lucky to find one listed in any given 3-month period. And when you do find them, you'll notice there is no way anyone working one of those jobs would ever be able to afford to buy it, or rent it.

The bigger the Villages become, the harder you'll find it for potential "server-type" employees to live close enough to justify the low wage. If it takes 40 minutes to get to the center of Sumter Landing for a job as a waitress for just 3 nights a week, a 5-hour shift, you'll find those potential employees seeking better closer to home. Or at least the same, closer to home.

We're spreading so far out that there's no place for these lower-paid employees to live, within reason to their jobs.

[LieutenantEd]

From my original post I followed the next 23 various comments and personal attacks I’ll paraphrase as “ not in my back yard, (NIMBY) only outside the Villages, rent an apartment and commute, we don’t want you here, oh no manufactured homes, subsidy’s and tax increases now etc etc.” . Post 25 from OrangeBlossom Baby understood my intent, and thank you very much! At this time it’s apparent that restaurants/ pubs, Medical, schools, and all businesses are searching for quality staffing, some have had to delay opening searching for staffing - (thinking of Sawgrass Grove complex). There is a new Villages Charter school being built off CR470, and new family housing areas. With gas prices approaching $5 a gallon, housing prices way up, the staffing shortages issue is only going to become critical, so please be patient, kind, and understanding while you are waiting for services in America’s Friendliest Hometown.

[spd2918]

There is a shortage of workers all over the country, not just here. It is a window into universal basic income, i.e. paying people to sit on their asses.

The virus gift from China led our politicians to print money (inflation) and write checks so people could sit around and not work. Future generations will be paying for that stupidity.

There is a work ethic problem in the U.S., not a housing problem.

[vintageogauge]

The villas are not selling?

Patio Villas are selling like hotcakes, do a Villages search for one. Courtyards are not selling as fast as they are at a higher price level.

[vintageogauge]

From my original post I followed the next 23 various comments and personal attacks I’ll paraphrase as “ not in my back yard, (NIMBY) only outside the Villages, rent an apartment and commute, we don’t want you here, oh no manufactured homes, subsidy’s and tax increases now etc etc.” . Post 25 from OrangeBlossom Baby understood my intent, and thank you very much! At this time it’s apparent that restaurants/ pubs, Medical, schools, and all businesses are searching for quality staffing, some have had to delay opening searching for staffing - (thinking of Sawgrass Grove complex). There is a new Villages Charter school being built off CR470, and new family housing areas. With gas prices approaching $5 a gallon, housing prices way up, the staffing shortages issue is only going to become critical, so please be patient, kind, and understanding while you are waiting for services in America’s Friendliest Hometown.

Housing may not be the only answer. On WESH news the other night there was a segment about the shortage of workers in Orlando and they have plenty of housing in the surrounding area so if they can't pull workers in I'm not so sure Sumter county can do it either. The companies owned by the developers will have a better chance as they can offer the Charter Schools for workers kids along with full benefits. Also in the mix is what percentage of available workers can actually pass a drug test or a background check, how many of the available workers are illegal and not willing to take a chance taking a real job where you need a real SS number, etc. Time will tell.