“It’s past time we build our own workforce housing.” -Christie Wood, CdA City Council member
CdA Council Member Christie Wood called for partnerships to develop land owned by the city and North Idaho College into “workforce housing.” She cited concerns of increased rent, inadequate wages. Workforce housing would be for “[firefighters, police officers, teachers, and nurses.]”
The discussion occurred during Coeur d’Alene’s city council meeting this week after Greta Gissel presented on behalf of Connect Kootenai, formerly CDA 2030. Gissel conceded that rents are declining in the area, as are home prices. However, Wood advocated for a government solution to decrease the cost of housing in northern Idaho. The city purchased 47 acres in 2018 along the Spokane River for $7.9 million. They overtly guided the development until 2020, when it was turned over to igniteCdA. IgniteCdA, the city’s urban renewal agency, continually works with the city council and its board is partially staffed with current and former elected officials. However, the large land grab failed to provide workforce housing. The first home constructed and sold, commanded a $3.1 million price tag. Surely, they can pull it off this time.
Photo by Marcus Lenk on Unsplash