The Northshore Business Council commisioned an employer survey to gauge the need for more workforce housing.  The employers surveyed confirmed that high housing prices are contributing to serious labor shortages in low-wage jobs.

Of the 187 large and midsized businesses that responded, 71 percent reported that the availability of workforce housing has an impact on them. Nearly two-thirds reported having difficulty attracting qualified job applicants.

More than 25 percent said a significant number of their workers live in neighboring parishes because they cannot afford to live in St. Tammany.

"Workforce housing is essential, and it's about economic prosperity," said Martin Mayer, president and CEO of Stirling Properties and an executive committee member of the Northshore Business Council. "Workers who must commute long distances because they can't afford housing spend excessive time on the road, which is expensive for them and adds congestion to the streets."

But some survey respondents expressed concern that cheaper housing would lead to an increase in crime or slum-like living conditions — comments that proponents see as a misunderstanding of the workforce housing concept.