What is the Jobs-Housing Fit and Why Does it Matter for Dallas?
In cities across the US the "Jobs-Housing Fit" is increasingly entering the housing and development conversation. The concept refers to the balance between job opportunities and available housing in a region or city. Achieving a well-balanced Jobs-Housing Fit has a number of benefits including sustained economic growth, quality of life, and sustainability. DCH uses the term, workforce housing, as a cornerstone of our messaging and this conversation about the Jobs-Housing Fit is very much a part of that.
Understanding the Jobs-Housing Fit
Jobs-Housing Fit is a measure of the balance between housing and employment and is a fundamental urban planning concept. It revolves around ensuring that a city's housing supply aligns with its employment opportunities. When balance is achieved, it can have various positive impacts on quality of life and economic growth.
Why Does Jobs-Housing Fit Matter?
Jobs-Housing Fit and Sustained Economic Growth
Balanced Jobs-Housing Fit can stimulate economic growth because when a city has housing in close proximity to jobs, it attracts a workforce which in turn motivates businesses to invest in the area and leads to increased economic activity, job creation, and innovation.
Jobs-Housing Fit and Reduced Traffic Congestion
One of the immediate benefits of a balanced Jobs-Housing Fit is reduced traffic congestion. People live closer to their workplace and have shorter commutes, thus less time spent on the road. This also reduces air pollution and fuel consumption.
Jobs-Housing Fit and Quality of Life
Shorter commutes can mean more time for leisure, family, and community engagement. It also contributes to the well-being of employees, reducing the physical and mental toll of long commutes. Studies show that the longer the commute, the higher the risk of depression.
Jobs-Housing Fit and Sustainability
A balanced Jobs-Housing Fit is a lynchpin to sustainable urban planning. It reduces the carbon footprint associated with commutes, encourages the use of public transportation, walking, and cycling, and can lead to the investment in and development of more energy-efficient and eco-friendly housing options.
The Jobs-Housing Fit is a crucial factor in the development and prosperity of a major metropolitan city, like Dallas. Dallas has experienced significant job growth in recent years, however our housing inventory, has not. According to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) forecast, four new jobs will locate in Dallas for every new household. The Dallas City Hall Land Use Analysis states that “the city (Dallas) now has about 2.2 jobs for every household and is more “jobs rich” than the D-FW region, which has a 1.6:1 ratio of jobs to household. Central cities are designed to be job centers, while many suburban communities tend to be more “housing rich.” We are increasingly seeing neighborhoods and communities that were formerly more affordable and the home to Dallas’ workforce, become unaffordable due to the necessity of housing for higher earning families and individuals. To achieve more balance between jobs and housing, we need more housing that is affordable for middle to low income earners.
If we prioritize this type of balanced approach to housing and employment, we can sustainably stimulate economic growth, ease traffic congestion, and improve the quality of life of Dallas residents. If you would like to learn more about housing, equity, and how DCH works towards these goals, follow along on our blog.