Photo courtesy of Jim Hendrix, oxphoto.org
As a property management company that’s grown up right alongside Oxford, we see the heartbeat of this town every day. We talk with longtime residents who remember when the Square felt smaller, learn from newcomers who arrived because of Ole Miss and stayed for the sense of place, and serve visitors who stumble in and soon find themselves caught in “The Velvet Ditch.” Lately, a familiar concern has been growing louder: As our beloved city continues to thrive, how do we ensure that everyone who keeps Oxford going can afford to live here, too?
Understanding Oxford’s Unique Position
What makes Oxford special isn’t just one thing—it’s a tapestry of moments. It’s the energy that buzzes through town on football weekends and the timeless ritual of setting up tents in the Grove well before kickoff. It’s the way the Ole Miss campus feels like home, year after year. It’s strolling the historic Square, flipping through books at Square Books, sipping coffee, and running into neighbors who know your name. It’s eating at Big Bad Breakfast after catching a live show at Proud Larry’s the night before. It's that smash burger and tots at Handy Andy. It’s our strong school systems nurturing future generations and quiet afternoons spent in our parks, where families and friends gather to play, picnic, and unwind. And it’s the Double Decker Arts Festival, two days when music and art fill our streets. These experiences weave locals, tourists, and students together into a vibrant community tapestry—one that enriches our town but also places unique pressures on our housing market.
Looking Beyond Oxford
Of course, we’re not alone in facing these pressures. By examining other communities known for their distinct charm, we can gain insight into how to move forward.
You might not think to compare Oxford to destinations like Breckenridge, CO, Grayton Beach, FL, or Jackson, WY—places known for grand landscapes or seascapes. These communities have grappled with similar questions, balancing tourism and investment with the needs of locals. By understanding their stories, we can find our own path forward right here in North Mississippi.
In Breckenridge, ski instructors struggle to find homes near the slopes they guide visitors down. Grayton Beach and similar coastal towns, despite their serene shores, watch as many who serve local shops and eateries are often priced out of the very coast that draws so many in. Jackson, WY, set against breathtaking natural beauty, contends with a shortage of affordable options for teachers, first responders, and local staff who sustain its thriving tourist economy.
Though Oxford lacks towering peaks or oceanfront views, the core challenge is much the same: how do we ensure that the people who make our community vibrant can afford to live here? The good news is that, unlike many resort towns hemmed in by geography, Oxford isn’t landlocked. We have room to grow—an advantage we can leverage to chart our own course. While we don’t want to copy other communities outright, their trials and triumphs offer valuable lessons. By drawing on these examples, we can shape strategies that respect Oxford’s heritage, honor its traditions, and embrace a forward-looking spirit suited to our unique situation.
Everyone Has a Role
We know Oxford’s magic doesn’t come from a single source. We need the visitors who fill our hotels, the second-home owners who contribute to our local economy, and the fresh perspectives that flow in with every new student. Without them, Oxford wouldn’t be so dynamic or full of possibility. To be quite honest, without their presence, we might be just another struggling town—one where we found ourselves wishing for more ways to bring in income and improve our city.
At the same time, our teachers, servers, shopkeepers, hospitality staff, and first responders form the backbone of daily life. If these everyday heroes can’t afford to live here, we lose something priceless—personal connections, neighborly gestures, and the comforting sense that Oxford isn’t just a place to pass through but a place to belong.
Flexible Tools for Oxford’s Future
Oxford is already taking steps toward a more balanced housing landscape. The Oxford Affordable Housing Commission is working to assemble a flexible toolkit that meets our evolving needs. The new affordable housing trust fund, for example, could help a local family with a down payment or emergency assistance. Beyond that, other measures—such as incentives to encourage developers to include more affordable homes and creating partnerships that help keep prices in check. The city’s new overlay district—approved by Oxford’s Board of Aldermen—aims to lower development costs and increase supply by encouraging a more diverse range of housing options. You can review the specifics of the overlay district here. Taken together, these measures aren’t about pushing anyone out—they’re about ensuring that as Oxford grows, it stays true to its welcoming spirit, where people from all walks of life can carve out a future.
Why It Matters to All of Us
When local workers find stable, affordable housing, it’s not just an abstract victory—it’s something we see and feel every day. Businesses can count on familiar, experienced faces serving customers and stocking shelves. Visitors notice genuine smiles and heartfelt hospitality that only come from people who love this place. Residents—whether their roots stretch back generations or were just recently planted—experience a community that retains its authentic character. Oxford isn’t just a dot on the map; it’s a living network of relationships, memories, and dreams.
Be Part of the Conversation
No one person or group has all the answers. That’s why the Oxford Affordable Housing Commission wants to hear from you. The commission meets the third Wednesday of every other month at 11:00 am in the courtroom upstairs in City Hall, and every voice counts. Whether you’ve called Oxford home for decades, bought a place last year, or only know us as a charming town you visit on weekends, your insights can shape what comes next. Your perspective will help ensure that as Oxford evolves, it does so in a way that honors our past and secures our future.
Looking Ahead
Oxford stands at a crossroads. If we fail to address our housing challenges now, they won’t fade quietly into the background—they’ll deepen. All we need to do is look at other towns across the country, where once-affordable neighborhoods have slipped out of reach for working families, to see what might await us in twenty years if we do nothing. Is that a future we’re willing to accept?
By choosing to tackle these issues head-on, we preserve what makes Oxford feel like home: the connections spanning generations, the genuine welcomes offered to newcomers, and the everyday comfort of living among people who care about the community as much as we do. The path won’t be simple, and it won’t be solved overnight, but by working together, we can ensure Oxford remains a place where anyone who arrives—whether for a season or a lifetime—can find more than just a house. They can find a home in The Velvet Ditch.
Live large,
Photo courtesy of Jim Hendrix, oxphoto.org
