Will School Districts Be Forced to Build Housing?

Eagle Ford housing issues will likely continue until permanent housing can can meet the needs of the population. In the mean time, we're going to see investments from places you might not expect. School districts are the latest to enter the fold in home development. Oilfield workers have brought their families and snapped up available homes across South Texas. That same influx of people and students has increased the need for teachers. The new teachers in turn face the challenge of finding affordable homes. (FYI - there aren't any)

McMullen County ISD has built homes before and it along with other school districts are determining the best way to invest this time around. With rental homes going for $2,000 per month or more, affordable housing is more scarce than ever. The school districts will have to help or open positions will not likely be filled.

Three Rivers recently purchased a piece of land and placed two mobile homes on the property as a short-term solution. Rohrbach said they've budgeted $100,000 to get the project started. Long-term, the plan is to build houses or duplexes on the land. More money will be approved as needed, Rohrbach said.

Rent will be reasonable, he said, at about $500 or $600 a month.

Read the full story addressing the issue at caller.com

How Long Before New Neighborhoods are Built in South Texas?

The Eagle Ford housing market has driven investment in hotels, man-camps, RV parks, and to some extent apartments. The one thing missing is permanent homes. An article addressing the topic was published yesterday in the Chronicle.

Read more at chron.com

Builders are largely risk averse and will take their time in moving into the more rural parts of South Texas. The boom and bust nature of the oil business combined with the long development times of neighborhoods has many apprehensive.

"If it's going to take seven or eight years, you're reluctant because you don't know what's going to happen with the play," he said. "Not until people feel like there's going to be economy stability will there be home building."

I'll say this. Money talks. As the 50,000 workers in the region begin building savings and preparing to buy homes, you can bet the builders will step in.