CITY OF BRENHAM TO CONDUCT RESIDENTIAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT

  

The City of Brenham is conducting a residential housing needs assessment.

The city in a release Wednesday announced it has engaged Community Development Strategies (CDS), a Houston-based company specializing in professional market and economic research, to perform the assessment.

The project is funded by the Brenham Community Development Corporation (BCDC).  Update @ 9:05 a.m.: The contract with CDS is $23,500, plus expenses not to exceed $1,250.

The results of the study are expected to be completed by September.

When the city adopted a comprehensive plan in September 2019, one item listed by community members as a concern of future growth was inadequate housing.  The comprehensive plan is a long-range planning document that identifies and prioritizes the city’s needs and goals for the next 20 years.  According to the release, a residential needs assessment has never been done for the city.

Brenham Economic Development Director Susan Cates said the city has been told by major employers that “finding and retaining quality workers is hindered by lack of appropriate housing stock.”  She said this assessment will act as a “first step to reversing that so our companies can compete for top-notch employees in the region.”

As part of CDS’ study, the company will interview major employers to determine the impact inadequate housing has on the future growth of their business.  Employees of local businesses will be asked to complete a confidential online survey designed to determine where employees live, whether they would choose to live closer to work if it was an option, and the type of housing they are seeking.  Employees will have a chance to win a Yeti cooler by completing the survey.

For more information, visit www.cdsmr.com.