The hard numbers were sobering.
It wasn't just the stats -- like 85 percent of our population can't afford the area's median-priced home -- that were tough to swallow in the 82-page Workforce Housing Needs Assessment put out by FIU's Metropolitan Center and released by the Greater Miami Chamber last week.
It was the projections, too. There were lots of tables but the bottom line is we're a low-wage, service-oriented economy, and in 2015 we will still be one.
Yet we have luxury high-rise after luxury high-rise and more coming on line. Stats in the report show a severe shortage of affordable rentals because of the condo-conversion boom and low, low growth in rental stock.
What we haven't seen yet are answers to this workforce housing crisis.
The Chamber, area mayors, the Broward Housing Partnership and the Partnership for Community Housing in Monroe have started the conversation. Let's keep it going. E-mail ideas to ndahlberg@MiamiHerald.com and I will share.
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In many parts of the country, prices at the pump are starting to affect driving habits. According to a recent survey by Cars.com, 23 percent carpool more than before, 12 percent are taking public transportation, 11 percent are biking and 7 percent are part of a car sharing service.
What about here? Will $4 gas finally move South Floridians to cut down on driving? Some companies offer incentives to do just that.
Jim Udvardy, project director for South Florida Commuter Services, says the agency aims to discourage driving alone and offers help with car-pooling, park-and-ride and other programs. It used to have to drum up business. Now companies call him -- a lot. ''It's a retention and recruitment issue now,'' he added.
Bupa Insurance in Miami offers $50 monthly gas cards for every member of a carpooling team. So far, more than 30 teams are participating from the 340-employee company and that's a win-win for the environment and employees' wallets, said Christina Theim Jensen, Bupa's communication manager. Adorno & Yoss offers employees at all its South Florida law offices a travel subsidy to cover a monthly Metrorail pass and parking at the stations.
Is your company allowing more telecommuting, promoting mass transit or car pooling, or offering some other help? Tell me about it.
