HOUSING: Motels are missed

I was pleased to read in Monday’s Coeur d’Alene Press, Councilwoman Kiki Miller is promoting a Regional Housing & Growth Issues Partnership.

Thank goodness she is aware of how serious the housing problem is for our younger folks starting out and other low-income people. Many folks cannot afford rent these days, let alone buy a “starter” home.

I’ve been worried about this for some time. I became very concerned driving down Sherman Avenue and around the corner to Coeur d’Alene Lakeshore Drive when four motels that accommodated financially challenged citizens closed a couple years ago.

The city of Coeur d’Alene demolished the two motels they inherited from St. Vincent de Paul. These were once important resources for vulnerable people.

Now the city plans two parks on those sites. I could see one park, but couldn’t something be done with the other lot to provide more low-income housing?

Hilary Anderson, Community Planning Director for the city, supported the assessment. Kiki Miller said: “We don’t need a report that tells us that fire is hot. We need a report that tells us where the water is.” I think one of those lots might provide some good water.

The other two “closed” motels off Coeur d’Alene Lakeshore Drive have been in the remodeling process and may not be available for people on a tight budget when they reopen.

I’m very glad the partnership being established by Kiki and the city is being set up and wish them luck in their endeavors to help address the housing issues. It might help if some of the landlords didn’t raise their rents quite so high.

EVALYN ADAMS

Coeur d’Alene