GALVESTON WORK FORCE HOUSING

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Urban Focus®, in partnership with CICADA was hired by BUILD Galveston, to further their workforce housing solutions for the city. Similar to the issues facing many cities, workers in Galveston are being priced out of living in the city due to an influx of short-term rentals and limited available real estate on the island. The project included site selection, zoning research, massing studies, board support, partner outreach, capacity building and ultimately financial feasibility analysis of potential opportunities for development that could narrow the current housing gap. Using GIS models and data analysis, CICADA investigated over 40 potential development sites, from empty lots to vacant privately-owned properties across the island, ranking their potential for successful housing projects based on multiple variables including tax credit potential, proximity to transit, flood zones and ownership complexities.

Ultimately the team evaluated three major sites to identify the initial projects for BUILD Galveston to initiate. Currently, these projects are underway.