MT. VERNON - The city will hear the results of a housing needs study which was completed last week during a workshop session scheduled for today.
The council commissioned the study in November 2011 in order to address the housing needs in the city.
"We have had a lot of success creating jobs over the last year," City Manager Ron Neibert said at the time the study was approved for completion. "What we have found is there are not a lot of houses available in Mt. Vernon and the Jefferson County area in certain price ranges."
Neibert went on to explain with the jobs is the opportunity to bring new residents to Mt. Vernon, and having housing available for new residents is a critical need which was discovered while looking through 2010 Census material.
In addition, Neibert said the council is working to increase the population, and thus increase the state per capita payments of taxes and grants.
The study was completed at a cost of $24,500 by Zanola Company LLC of St. Louis. The company specializes in "real-world market research, data and guidance."
"As a trusted market research and business consultant, Zanola Company analyzes home building market data and demographic trends to cultivate out-of-the box, cost-effective strategies to positively impact the bottom line," information from the company states.
Neibert said with the salary ranges expected with the jobs associated with the expansion of Continental Tire the Americas alone, there would be an additional 400 people, but only 40 homes for the expected salary demographic.
"This study will find the sectors of the housing market where there is a need," Neibert said. "This study will determine what's available in the market ... what we need and the opportunity we will have to develop housing in Mt. Vernon."
In addition to a presentation on the housing needs study, the council will also hear a presentation on electrical aggregation during the workshop session.
The council will meet at 3 p.m. in the city council chambers at city hall for its workshop session. - http://bit.ly/HQZQhG
