LOCAL NO VACANCY ISSUES
LITERALLY…NO ROOM – Council told reasons for no available or affordable housing.
Lemhi County Economic Development Association (LCEDA) Executive Director Tammy Stringham and Jen Smith of the Regional Land Trust presented an overview of the local housing situation to the May 5 meeting of the Salmon City Council.
The first topic of conversation was how many businesses are struggling to fill positions. Later in the presentation Councilor Robin Phillips pointed out the federal government is not helping the job force merchant’s problem by supplying unemployment checks larger than what can be earned by working a local job.
Stringham said they are currently working on a questionnaire survey that will be sent to all builders in Lemhi County in hopes of getting a better understanding of their challenges and issues. She said there are organizations around the state that are very adept at finding investors for building projects plus establishing tax credits and some have been contacted. They are also looking at local land opportunities which might be re-zoned for multiple, affordable housing featuring from two to four units.
Smith asked the council how the subject of available housing and affordable housing for workers came up and what council members thought could be done. Phillips said she brought the question of housing to the council on behalf of residents unable to find or afford a place to live. She said she thinks the government should step aside and make it easier for contractors to create the needed product. She said we are living in such an inflationary time that even if contractors could build the needed housing it wouldn’t be affordable. In reading the LCEDA report she said it was clear most people want to live within minutes of where they work which is not reasonable based on available housing inventory in the city. She also mentioned there are zero rental opportunities.
Phillips stated she is in favor of changing the zoning and in favor of multi-family properties in selected areas. She would like to see an apartment complex built somewhere in town.
Councilor Jim Bockelman said the killer right now is the cost of building which is so high the possibility of getting a return on the investment is improbable. His opinion is he would like to see a change in zoning.
Smith commented that most building right now is for custom homes and builders are two to three years out. She said the goal of the study group is to find solutions. Phillips asked if they have considered finding contractors from outside the area. Stringham said there are companies that work on volume projects and the group has contacted them. \r\nSmith said those companies will, for a fee, do a housing feasibility study that includes a property search, costs of building, potential rental rates as well as costs of buying. Stringham said they are looking at all options and are excited to see the city’s interest. She said the trick will be finding a balance between over expansion and filling the need.
Phillips complimented them on the thoroughness of the study.