Housing shortage a problem for Odessa businesses

ODESSA – Several Odessa businesses are having difficulty hiring employees due to the housing shortage in Odessa. Offering people jobs is one thing, helping them find a place to live is quite another. Commuting from Spokane or even from some closer communities loses its appeal over the long term, even when businesses are offering additional gas stipends or other more generous benefits.

Currently, there are no Odessa homes listed with local realtors. Michelle Melgren with Katz Realty of Davenport told The Record that the few homes that are available in Lind and Ritzville are being snapped up by buyers almost as soon as they hit the market, sometimes at figures above the asking price. There is property available for those willing to have a home built in Odessa, but not everyone is in a position to do that.

So the problem for businesses around town is that their ability to hire and retain workers is being impacted by the lack of housing. The subject is sure to come up when both the town council and the local chamber of commerce hold their regularly scheduled meetings this coming Monday and Tuesday. Both meetings will be held in the community center, where there is ample room to spread out for social distancing, and the public is welcome to attend both. Monday’s council meeting is at 7 p.m., and Tuesday’s chamber meeting is at noon (no lunch provided). The chamber’s board wants to move to evening meetings as well, as soon as its by-laws can be revised to allow it, but for now the meetings are at noon.