Here's A Major Reason!
Office of the Sheriff
County of Mathews Sheriff April L. Edwards
April 28, 2025
Ref: Lack of Mathews County Housing Opportunities
To Whom It May Concern:
Over the course of the last ten years, it has been increasingly more difficult to find qualified applicants for employment at the Mathews County Sheriff’s Office, whether in patrol or in the 911 dispatch center. Years ago, our department policy had a residential requirement that all deputies and dispatchers must live within the county as a condition of employment. This policy was put in place because we are such a small office, and it was imperative for us to have a quick response if a sole deputy working alone at night needed backup.
Oftentimes, the backup deputy would be responding from their bed to offer assistance to a deputy in need. This policy ultimately guaranteed an expeditious response from a backup officer in an urgent situation.
Over the past ten years, we had to alter this policy requirement because it was impossible to find rental properties within Mathews County or even affordable housing for sale. The majority of our employees now live outside of Mathews County – either in Gloucester, Middlesex, or other counties on the Northern Neck. Many have reported trying to locate housing in Mathews, but they either cannot afford the houses listed for sale or they cannot find a vacant rental property.
1
The shortfall in housing opportunities for individuals and families looking to relocate and work in Mathews County is sad to say the least and it prevents many qualified applicants and young families from moving or working in Mathews County. Not to mention, they are trying to find affordable housing on a public servant’s salary, which alone can be cumbersome. It is the opinion of the Sheriff that there needs to be more housing options to meet the needs of our community in order to improve the workforce in our community.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and we hope other avenues are explored to improve on these housing shortfalls.
April L. Edwards
Sheriff
10622 Buckley Hall Road, Suite B, Mathews, VA 23109 P.O. Box 190 Mathews, VA 23109
Telephone (804) 725-7177 – Fax (804) 725-5982
County of Mathews Sheriff April L. Edwards
April 28, 2025
Ref: Lack of Mathews County Housing Opportunities
To Whom It May Concern:
Over the course of the last ten years, it has been increasingly more difficult to find qualified applicants for employment at the Mathews County Sheriff’s Office, whether in patrol or in the 911 dispatch center. Years ago, our department policy had a residential requirement that all deputies and dispatchers must live within the county as a condition of employment. This policy was put in place because we are such a small office, and it was imperative for us to have a quick response if a sole deputy working alone at night needed backup.
Oftentimes, the backup deputy would be responding from their bed to offer assistance to a deputy in need. This policy ultimately guaranteed an expeditious response from a backup officer in an urgent situation.
Over the past ten years, we had to alter this policy requirement because it was impossible to find rental properties within Mathews County or even affordable housing for sale. The majority of our employees now live outside of Mathews County – either in Gloucester, Middlesex, or other counties on the Northern Neck. Many have reported trying to locate housing in Mathews, but they either cannot afford the houses listed for sale or they cannot find a vacant rental property.
1
The shortfall in housing opportunities for individuals and families looking to relocate and work in Mathews County is sad to say the least and it prevents many qualified applicants and young families from moving or working in Mathews County. Not to mention, they are trying to find affordable housing on a public servant’s salary, which alone can be cumbersome. It is the opinion of the Sheriff that there needs to be more housing options to meet the needs of our community in order to improve the workforce in our community.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and we hope other avenues are explored to improve on these housing shortfalls.
April L. Edwards
Sheriff
10622 Buckley Hall Road, Suite B, Mathews, VA 23109 P.O. Box 190 Mathews, VA 23109
Telephone (804) 725-7177 – Fax (804) 725-5982