The Town of Nags Head has released a Request for Information seeking information from private entities as to how they may propose to provide housing to meet the needs of the Town’s seasonal Ocean Rescue lifeguard staff. The Town’s standing as a family-focused destination relies upon the safety of its beaches. Seasonally, this is the primary responsibility of the Town’s Ocean Rescue Division lifeguards. The average lifeguard is between 18 and 26 years old; many of these Lifeguards are college students working during the summer break, returning to school before the start of the fall semester. About a third of the Town’s lifeguards are international students under the U.S. Department of State’s J-1 Visa Summer Work Travel Program. Being employed with the Town as a lifeguard, it is necessary for lifeguards who are not local residents to secure housing for the duration of their employment. Annually, Town staff works to assist prospective lifeguards in finding housing for the season that is safe, secure, and available for a reasonable expense. Given the housing demands associated with the tourism-based economy, increases in the Town’s permanent population, and the growth in the use of short-term rental platforms, the ability to secure necessary housing presents challenges for lifeguards and the Town, conditions which change annually.
The RFI may be accessed on the Town’s Bid Postings website at the following link: https://www.nagsheadnc.gov/bids.aspx Questions or inquiries concerning the RFI may be directed to Michael Zehner, Town of Nags Head Director of Planning and Development.
**Note - Any questions raised by potential respondents must be submitted in writing to michael.zehner@nagsheadnc.gov no later than 11 a.m. EST on May 19, 2021.