Elkins Breaks Ground on Affordable Housing Development

Construction began this month on a new affordable housing development in Elkins, an effort local officials say is intended to address a housing shortage that has worsened as the surrounding highlands region's tourism and outdoor recreation economy has grown. City officials say short-term rental conversions and rising home prices have made it harder for local workers, including teachers, healthcare workers, and service industry employees, to find affordable housing near their jobs.

"We hear this from almost every local employer," said a city planning official involved in the project. "It's not that there aren't jobs. It's that people can't find anywhere affordable to live near them."

Balancing Growth and Access

The development includes a mix of rental units aimed at moderate-income households, funded through a combination of state housing tax credits and local investment. City officials say it represents one of the larger dedicated affordable housing projects in the region in recent years, though they acknowledge it will not fully close the gap on its own.

Local officials say they are exploring additional policy tools, including potential incentives for long-term rental housing, as the highlands region continues to balance tourism-driven growth with the housing needs of its year-round workforce.