Ontario County faces a severe shortage of affordable housing, jeopardizing its economic development and workforce stability, according to a new Housing Needs Assessment. The report, commissioned by the county and released this week, highlights the growing difficulty local employers face in attracting and retaining workers, as essential employees in healthcare, retail, and education struggle to find affordable homes near their jobs.
The data reveals that 43.2% of renters and 16.5% of homeowners in Ontario County are cost-burdened, spending at least 30% of their income on housing. Rising home prices and limited rental availability are forcing many workers to commute from neighboring counties like Monroe, Wayne, and Seneca, or leave the area entirely for regions with lower housing costs.
Mark Prunoske, Chief Financial Officer at F.F. Thompson Hospital and a member of the county’s Housing Ad Hoc Committee, recounted the story of a Thompson Health employee commuting an hour and 20 minutes from Ithaca due to the lack of affordable housing in Canandaigua. Stories like hers reflect a widespread issue affecting employers across industries.
Healthcare, which accounts for 16.4% of jobs in Ontario County, is particularly impacted, followed closely by retail. Both sectors rely on workers earning modest wages. However, the lack of housing in the $150,000 to $275,000 price range has hindered recruitment efforts. The report estimates that over 16,000 workers commute daily from outside the county, a trend that could worsen as Ontario’s population continues to age.
Local officials fear that without intervention, the housing crisis will stifle economic growth by deterring businesses from expanding or relocating to the area. Additionally, reduced disposable income among cost-burdened workers threatens to weaken consumer spending, affecting small businesses and tax revenues.
Bob Doeblin, CEO of the Geneva Housing Authority, emphasized the scale of the challenge, noting that over 1,200 applicants are on waiting lists for rental assistance in Ontario County. He pointed out that many eligible applicants, who earn less than half the county’s median income, struggle to find available units even with support.
To address the crisis, the Housing Needs Assessment recommends several strategies, including:
- Increasing workforce housing: Encouraging the development of affordable rental units and entry-level homes near key job centers such as Canandaigua, Farmington, and Victor.
- Zoning reform: Allowing for higher-density housing to lower infrastructure costs and make new developments more feasible.
- Public-private partnerships: Collaborating with developers and employers to finance housing for middle-income workers.
- Employer-based housing programs: Incentivizing businesses to create or fund housing solutions for their employees.
The Ontario County Housing Ad Hoc Committee, formed in 2024, is spearheading efforts to promote these recommendations and engage the community. The full Housing Needs Assessment report, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, is available at the county’s website.
By tackling the housing crisis head-on, local leaders aim to secure Ontario County’s economic future and maintain its competitiveness as a desirable place to live and work.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].