Idaho is reaching a point where the private market alone cannot deliver the necessary volume or diversity of homes that working families need. Cities across Idaho are feeling this strain, as outdated zoning codes, inconsistent processes, and a lack of technical support create barriers that stop housing developments from breaking ground or from being affordable for Idahoans. We must allow our cities to take steps to update local codes and embrace proven strategies that increas

Idaho has no shortage of people who want to live here. We have a shortage of places they can afford  to live. After years of working alongside cities, builders, and families across North Idaho, especially in Kootenai County, I’ve seen that our housing crisis isn’t driven by a lack of interest or investment. Rather, outdated zoning rules and regulatory red tape make starter homes and “middle housing” nearly impossible to build in our communities. We often hear about “market fa

East Idaho continues to see unprecedented growth. Families are looking for community connections like those in Eastern Idaho offers in order to build their dreams.  Businesses are expanding, and communities throughout the region are planning for their future. Yet in my work partnering with cities and counties across the region to understand their challenges and build long-term capacity, I hear the same message repeatedly: Our housing system is not keeping up with the needs of

Idaho is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. People are moving here for the same reasons many of us stay: strong communities, good schools, access to the outdoors, and a quality of life that is hard to find anywhere else. But that growth has brought challenges. Housing costs have outpaced wages, young families are struggling to buy their first home, and local workers are being priced out of the communities they serve. The good news is that Idaho’s cities already

Across Idaho, people are searching for homes that fit their lives and budgets, but too often, the only options available are large single-family houses or big apartment complexes. What is missing are the homes in between—the small, neighborhood-scale options that used to define Idaho communities. These “Missing Middle” housing types include duplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts, courtyard apartments, and townhomes. They offer attainable, family-friendly living options that ble

Across Idaho, families, teachers, nurses, and first responders are struggling to find a place to call home. The simple truth is that we haven’t been building enough housing to keep up with demand. While construction costs and interest rates play a role, one of the biggest barriers is much closer to home—our outdated local zoning codes.` For decades, most Idaho cities have reserved the majority of their residential land exclusively for single-family homes. These rules often ma

Idaho has always been a place for builders, innovators, and doers. From the farmers who shaped our land to the small business owners who make our communities thrive, Idaho’s success has always depended on people who take action. Today, that same spirit is needed to address one of our biggest challenges: housing. Across the state, there is growing awareness that our housing shortage is holding Idaho back. Families are moving farther from jobs, teachers and healthcare workers a

Across Idaho, people are working hard and doing everything right, yet finding a home they can afford feels out of reach. The problem is not just the cost of materials or labor. It is also the maze of outdated rules, fees, and processes that make it difficult to build new homes that regular Idaho families can afford. Every year, more small builders, contractors, and homeowners tell the same story. They want to add a few homes on a vacant lot, convert an existing building into