During a recent government meeting, officials addressed the pressing issue of housing shortages, particularly the lack of affordable options in the county. A significant concern raised was the oversaturation of short-term rentals, which has diverted potential long-term housing into the rental market. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for what is termed the \"missing middle\" housing—affordable options that fall between luxury and assisted housing.

One official emphasized that while there is no need for additional short-term rentals, the county must focus on creating more occupied housing. The Community Land Trust was mentioned as a key initiative aimed at reducing land costs to facilitate affordable housing development. However, it was noted that this is just one of many tools needed to address the housing crisis effectively.

In a related development, Annette Rubin, CEO of Vero Building Systems, introduced her company’s innovative building materials designed to lower construction costs. Rubin is collaborating with an international investor interested in developing affordable housing in the area. She expressed optimism about the potential for their vertically integrated approach to streamline the building process and reduce expenses, making affordable housing more feasible in the community.

Rubin's commitment to bringing this project to the county, despite initial pushes towards larger cities, reflects a growing interest in addressing local housing needs. The meeting concluded with a call for continued efforts to explore various strategies to tackle the housing crisis, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovative solutions.