Greensboro report shows steady growth but sharp demand for housing

New data out of Greensboro shows the city continues to see steady growth, but it comes as the region faces a steep demand for housing.

According to a report by the city's Planning Department, employment figures are back to pre-pandemic levels and the average wage continues to rise. But the number of jobs coming to the area has also increased demand for housing.

A study by the Greensboro Regional Realtors Association showed Guilford County needs more than 32,000 new residential units.

Greensboro Planning Director Sue Schwartz says housing at every price point was already strained.

"Not addressing that well could jeopardize this sustained growth that we're talking about because employers don't just want bodies to do labor," she says. "They want people to have a good quality of life; they want them to be able to afford a good place to live and be able to get to work in a reasonable manner."

Schwartz says to solve this issue it will take a focus on building a variety of housing types at different price points and in different locations.