Workforce Housing Summit
Central Minnesota has a shortage of workforce-affordable housing. That is, housing that is affordable for workers making $15-30 dollars per hour. Many local companies are highly dependent on those workers and, with the current workforce shortage, making our community attractive to those workers is an important strategic concern. Our ability to grow as a community – economically, socially and demographically is on the line and this important issue needs to be addressed.
Through this event, we intend to share information and ideas on how to address the barriers to the development of workforce-affordable housing using objective data and highlighting the actions other communities have taken to address the issue.
We will also share data to help us :
- Understand the scope and magnitude of the problem
- The impact it has on our community health
- The issues employers face in recruiting, training and retaining skilled workers
- The role of access to safe, affordable housing plays for our workforce
This event will be important for community development/planning staff, elected officials, employers, economic development professionals, developers and contractors and anyone interested in workforce development and the future of our communities.
To register go to: https://www.unitedwayhelps.org/events/workforce-housing-summit
Program
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. - Keynote Speakers:
- "What is our Housing Inventory and Where are our Gaps?"
- "What are the Housing and Workforce Needs for our Community?"
9:45 - 11:45 a.m. - Breakout Sessions
- Resources
- Barriers: Regulations & Fees, Inputs
- How to Make Affordable Solutions Happen
12:00 - 1 p.m. - Lunch & Employer Panel: Needs & Workforce Housing Models
1:15 - 1:30 p.m. - Closing Remarks

Date and Time
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
8:00 AM - 1:30 PM CDT
March 23, 2023 | 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location
St. Cloud State University - Atwood Center SEATING IS LIMITED!