Housing is a major issue in Volusia County, which is why at a chamber of commerce meeting, everyone from housing advocates to county commissioners to the United Way joined for a common cause — to come up with a way to tackle Volusia County's housing issue.
- Officials point to study that says reenters are 'cost-burdened'
- Resident says more affordable housing is needed
At the Friday meeting, officials point out that a recent study showed that 57 percent of renters in Volusia County are "cost-burdened," meaning they pay more for rent and utilities than they can comfortably afford. Jobs at fast food restaurants and area attractions do not pay enough for Volusia County's working class to survive.
Gabriel Thomas says he lives in a rent-controlled apartment and says more affordable housing is needed.
"I think if you look at the housing market and the way things are going, especially with rent, it has outpaced income," Thomas said.
Thomas lives in an income-restricted community and he agrees the problem will not be a quick fix.
District 4 Representative Heather Post says the Volusia County Council is working on the problem and says it affects everyone.
"We really need to be working on the basics. The regular working class people so that they can stay here and are not stuck in positions where week to week they are not sure where they are going," she says.