Over the last several weeks, we’ve seen both sides of the housing argument play out in the paper. The YIMBYs versus NIMBYs , density vs. sprawl, and so on.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest and most important voices in this argument almost always gets lost or ignored — the voice of our young professionals and those who need housing the most. Housing is one of the biggest and most significant factors in a young person’s life. For us young professionals working in the valley, it is a pivotal factor in both our mental and physical well-being.
As a young professional who works closely with other young professionals struggling with addiction or substance abuse daily, I can tell you first-hand the importance of housing security and what that means for a person in recovery. So how do we make sure we’re meeting the needs of our younger, more vulnerable generations and helping them succeed? Building more mixed-income housing for young professionals is a great first step. Proposals like West End are a perfect example of mixed-income housing (at a location that makes the most sense) that serves younger working professionals in the valley.
The more housing we build, the more options, choices, and most importantly — more security — we provide for our younger workforce. Sadly, many of Eagle County’s young professionals don’t have the luxury of spending all day or night at long public hearings supporting the very housing that will benefit them the most. They’re often working night shifts, studying for exams, or simply doing what they need to do to make ends meet.
This is the opposite case, of course, with those who traditionally oppose more housing. I sincerely hope our county leaders will consider the needs of the next generation and bring more housing choices to our younger professionals. Please remember those who may not be able to afford to have a voice in this conversation, but are the ones most impacted by our decisions.
Rob Shearon Vail.
