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Longview council approves HUD-funded strategic housing study with Matrix Design Group
Summary
The Longview City Council voted to contract Matrix Design Group for a 12-month, HUD-funded comprehensive housing study and action plan intended to inform future housing policy and grant applications.
The Longview City Council on April 24 approved a resolution authorizing a contract with Matrix Design Group to complete a comprehensive housing study and strategic plan funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
City staff said the 12-month project will use census and commercial market datasets and community engagement to identify housing needs, gaps and actionable recommendations. Zachary Payne, chief operating officer for Matrix Design Group, told the council the firm will pair national data sources such as CoStar with local outreach to produce an “apples-to-apples” comparison with other municipalities and a prioritized action plan for Longview.
Council members asked about community engagement and local presence. Payne said the firm plans multiple outreach methods including surveys, open houses and social media, and that on-site visits would likely be two to three days per trip. City staff advised the study would support eligibility for some future state and federal grant programs and would be a publicly available resource for developers, nonprofits and local agencies.
Council discussion emphasized use of the report. City officials and council members said value will depend on how the council and staff implement the plan’s recommendations. The resolution passed after a motion, with no opposition recorded.
The contract was described in the meeting as funded entirely through HUD and not requiring city general-fund dollars. The council directed staff to proceed with the engagement and deliverables described in the proposal.
