Suburbs Lure Employees, But Limit Housing

WASHINGTON (AP) - Attracting more workers, but not homes for all of them to live in, is becoming the common practice of local governments across the region. But the consequences could be far-reaching.

Officials believe the policy makes financial sense because workplaces pay more taxes and use fewer services than homeowners.

But, the housing shortages force people to find housing farther away from their jobs.

Montgomery County's master plan, for instance, permits enough office space and shops to employ 40,000 workers. But, it also deliberately provides for fewer than 15,000 new homes.

According to The Washington Post, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, which compiles job and housing projections based on reports from each of the local governments, says the number of jobs in the region will increase by 550,000 this decade. The number of homes, however, will only rise by only 312,000. Assuming the typical 1.5 workers per home, that leaves a shortfall of 82,000 homes.

Experts say the consequences include longer commutes, more automotive emissions, and higher housing prices.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)