Editor ––
I'm contacting you in response to your request for input on this subject matter. As a full-time resident, I would selfishly prefer to continue with the quiet off-season months we currently enjoy. However, I do feel for those who work on the island but cannot afford to live on the island. Unfortunately, unless we somehow create more long-term, affordable housing, I just don't see how those in the service industry will ever be able to afford to live on the island. And of course it only makes sense that to improve and grow our economy overall, we must encourage a more steady, year-round spending routine.
As far as the idea of creating work-from-home positions to attract full-time residents, the pay would need to be significant. My suggestion would be to do a study on the availability and affordability of long-term rental housing to see if the current market could even accommodate these new residents. I follow real estate very closely and at this time, I don't think it's feasible to think in terms of homeownership for this level of employment.
Thanks for taking the time to solicit and consider my thoughts.
Teri Krause
