The city of Ouray will hire a consultant to conduct a housing needs study, as the community grapples with a combination of empty second homes, soaring real estate prices and limited land that has made it challenging, if not impossible, for middle-class workers to afford a place to live in town.

The City Council on Monday unanimously agreed to pay Denver consultant Economic & Planning Systems up to $38,500 to prepare an economic and demographic analysis and housing market conditions and needs...