a permanent housing crisis?

Fredericksburg, Texas has been in a state of housing crisis for decades. It has become the “Vail (Colorado) of Texas” with all of the problems of a high-demand tourist town. The housing crisis exists and persists because of the structure of local political power, cultural biases, and bad policy decisions at the local, state, and federal level. This political reality needs bold solutions and a powerful advocacy for affordable housing.

There has not been enough housing built for the workers. Development has been steady for luxury homes and trailer parks, but not the affordable homes or apartments that working people need. Existing homes have been converted into hospitality businesses, which has reduced the number of homes and rentals available to permanent residents. The housing crisis further intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic and with the inflation of prices for rent and fuel.

In its current state, Fredericksburg lacks workers for essential services: utilities, medical, law enforcement, childcare, and education. The tourist industry upon which Fredericksburg depends is chronically understaffed. The primary reason for the labor crisis is the lack of affordable housing.

Mayor Jeryl Hoover and the City Council are working on these issues. However, there does not seem to be enough political will to overcome the NIMBY (Not In My BackYard) resistance to any new development that would be attainable for working people.

Fredericksburg Neighborhood Coalition cares about our neighbors of today and tomorrow. We want to see Fredericksburg be a livable, lived-in, and welcoming community.