Tampa Bay’s booming economy is drawing in new residents, but skyrocketing housing costs are straining the region’s workforce and competitiveness. In a recent Tampa Bay Business Journal “Table of Experts” panel, Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside hosted local leaders from government, healthcare, and economic development to discuss how housing affordability is becoming a critical challenge.
TBBJ Publisher Ian Anderson moderated the conversation among Mike Sutton (President and CEO, Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside), Cynthia Johnson (Director, Pinellas County Economic Development), John Couris (CEO, Tampa General Hospital), Scott Fink (CEO, Volkswagen of Wesley Chapel & Subaru of Wesley Chapel), Melissa Seixas (State President, Duke Energy Florida), and Bemetra Simmons (President & CEO, Tampa Bay Partnership). With residents spending over 50% of their income on housing and transportation, long commutes and limited options are impacting talent retention and quality of life. The panel called for collaborative, innovative solutions to ensure people can live where they work.
