WHO WE ARE The Dutchess County Workforce Housing Coalition (WHC) is a new entity created as a result of the economic success in creating job growth within Dutchess County and significant migration from the greater New York Metropolitan area. Both of these factors have placed intense demands on the housing stock within the county resulting in double digit home price increases. The increase in housing cost has priced many Dutchess County workers out of the local market. Both existing workers and new workers coming to the area are having difficulty in locating housing appropriate to their economic and family situation. As a result, Dutchess County is losing workforce diversity. Communities, workers and their employers are looking for solutions.   HOUSING AND WAGE GAP The gap between housing cost and incomes has grown proportionately. The median income for renter households in 2003 was $33,025, but the income needed to afford a 2-bedroom priced in accordance with HUD Fair Market Rents is $42,160 - a gap of $9,135. The gap is even more dramatic when looking at incomes needed to purchase a home, compared to the median income in the county. The 2004 median household income in the County is $72,900, but a family would need to earn over $87,000 to purchase a median priced home in the county - a gap of $14,100. There is some evidence that worker family incomes, of workers who both live and work in Dutchess County, have incomes considerably lower than the median for all families in the county. SOLVING THE PROBLEM WHC works with local government, employers and other partners to identify and implement solutions to the gap between workinghousehold incomes and the cost of housing.     DUTCHESS COUNTY SMART GROWTH HOUSING TASK FORCE REPORT The report provides background on the economic conditions faced by county residents and workers; highlights and predicts the incresing gap between housing cost and wages; and provides recommendations to help resolve the crisis. Click on  for more information.