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
Builders act on local worker housing needs
For the past three years, a group of local leaders has been implementing strategies and projects, and providing education on creating and preserving housing for local workers. Their accomplishments do not return the housing stock or prices to pre-pandemic levels, but they are making a difference. The Housing Solutions Partnership has successfully implemented HomeShare Kootenai […]
Housing prices impacting quality of life
Idaho, while known for its affordability compared to many other states, exhibits regional variations in the cost of living. Except when it comes to housing. In the more urban areas like Boise, Nampa and Meridian, you'll likely encounter slightly higher prices...
PUDs: A tool for lower cost housing development?
A Planned Unit Development is a zoning tool that allows for greater flexibility in land use planning that is managed through an application process. By combining various land uses and densities within a single development, PUDs can provide a unique opportunity to...
RVs aren’t homes in Kootenai County
The practice of living in a recreational vehicle (RV) on a standard residential lot is generally prohibited in Idaho. While frustrating for some, this regulation is rooted in a combination of practical concerns, types of...
Kootenai County simplifies process for dividing land among family members
Dividing land in Kootenai County to gift or sell to a family member will be an easier process thanks to new ordinance that went into effect August 1. The Board of County Commissioners approved the Family Division ordinance last month, paving the way for property...
Housing authorities in Idaho: Structure, legality and debated necessity
Housing authorities are public agencies established to address the critical issue of affordable housing. In many places, these entities play a pivotal role in providing low-income housing assistance. With many newcomers to the area from locations that relied on...
Churches as Pillars of the Community: Leveraging land for local worker housing
The housing crisis is well documented in North Idaho. In response, The Housing Solutions Partnership is continuing to build a local ToolKit with innovative solutions, including considering the repurposing of church land for local worker housing. This approach offers a...
Can multigenerational housing help solve the housing crisis?
Baby Boomers are the retiring generation that has acquired a lifetime of assets. Discussions in our region reveal that many would like to downsize for less maintenance, lower expenses and time to travel and enjoy the fruits of their long employment history. With the...
Council seeking housing solutions
The Panhandle Area Council is an economic development 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that provides small businesses with loans, project financing and community development services to advance economic development across Idaho. It has been connecting businesses to...
Regulatory fees increase the cost of new housing
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently sent a message to local builders to appeal to local, state and national leaders to reduce regulatory charges in order to bring home prices down. Locally, builders pay impact fees to jurisdictions where they...