KOOTENAI COUNTY, IDAHO
HOUSING SOLUTIONS PARTNERSHIP
OUR MISSION: To increase the availability and affordability of housing for local workers in Kootenai County.
Jurisdictions throughout Kootenai County formed the Housing Solutions Partnership in 2020 to address housing and growth-related challenges as real estate and rental costs reached record highs in North Idaho.
Many local workers are struggling to find affordable housing. In fact, 24 out of 30 categories of local workers — including service industry workers, loan officers, teachers, physical therapists and even CEOs — can’t afford to buy a house in North Idaho. Housing inventory is low and an estimated 2,045 new housing units need to be built each year to accommodate the county’s anticipated growth through 2030.
One of the partnership’s main goals is to provide education on what is and is not possible in our area, offer solutions that work, and to educate our decision-makers, citizens and building community. Visit our Solutions ToolKit to learn more about our efforts to increase local worker housing in the Coeur d’Alene area.
HOUSING SOLUTIONS PARTNERSHIP
NEWS & UPDATES
Free accessory dwelling unit plans aimed at increasing local worker housing in Kootenai County
Over two years in the making and thousands of hours of volunteer effort, The Housing Solutions Partnership is making free, pre-approved plans for accessory dwelling units available to the public to increase housing for local workers, students, and others. The...
Tax credits could incentivize affordable housing builds
State legislators are looking to “reinvigorate the American dream” through proposed tax credit legislation that would incentivize builders to develop properties for middle-income Idahoans. Read more in The Coeur d'Alene Press:...
Housing Solutions Partnership receives honors from American Planning Association Idaho Chapter
The American Planning Association Idaho Chapter (APA Idaho) recognized Coeur d’Alene Councilmember Kiki Miller at its 2024 annual conference awards program in Moscow, Idaho, on October 3, 2024, for her efforts in forming and leading the Housing Solutions Partnership....
A comparative analysis of housing terms
The terms "workforce housing," "affordable housing," and "attainable housing" are often used interchangeably in discussions of housing policy and development. However, each term has distinct nuances that reflect different approaches to addressing housing...
Partnership’s Kiki Miller leads housing and growth discussion
Kiki Miller, a founder of the Housing Solutions Partnership, will speak about housing issues during a community discussion Wednesday in Coeur d’Alene. The event is sponsored by Kootenai Strong, a non-partisan community group. Miller, who also serves on Coeur d’Alene’s...
Program could fund home improvements to increase affordable housing options
The Housing Solutions Partnership and University of Idaho are surveying Kootenai County homeowners to gauge interest in a program that would fund home improvements to eliminate common barriers that prevent homeowners from sharing their space with others. The HomeShare...
‘Zoom Boom’ impact on housing
The Zoom Boom refers to the rapid growth of many small towns and cities during the COVID-19 pandemic. As people were forced to work remotely, many sought to escape crowded urban areas for more affordable housing and a better quality of life. This led to a surge in...
Workshop addresses shortage of local worker housing
COEUR d’ALENE — More than 50 area leaders gathered in Coeur d’Alene on November 7 to explore strategies to increase housing for local workers. Coeur d’Alene City Councilor Kiki Miller, a founder of the Housing Solutions Partnership, said 24 of 30 categories of local...
Development agreements can aid in local worker housing
Thanks to NIBCA, Professional Women in Building - Coeur d'Alene and the Association of Idaho Cities for teaming with the Housing Solutions Partnership to explore how development agreements could increase affordable housing for workers in North Idaho. Check out KHQ's...
Workshop explores use of development agreements to increase worker housing
An October 15 workshop for builders, developers and local officials will explore how development agreements can be used to increase the affordability and availability of local worker housing. Idaho law allows governing boards to enter into agreements with builders and...