HOUSING: Residential building rate needs to increase

In my last letter to the editor, I pointed out that Kootenai County needed 3,000 housing units per year to maintain current availability in the housing market. Currently, we are suffering from a shortage of homes and can feel it as demand drives up the pricing of homes and rentals.

Quick research shows that in 2021 there were 1,156 housing units built and I am assured that numbers have gone down from there for 2022 per our building departments. From there in 2023, the numbers have continued to trend downwards from 2022 mostly due to the increase in mortgage interest rates combined with stubbornly high material costs.

In contrast to fewer housing units being built, our population continues to increase but we have no affordable housing whether to own or rent available. This informs us that the rate of residential building will have to more than double from the current rate, maybe even triple, to put a dent in the looming housing shortage.

I would appeal to our municipal leaders to understand how vitally important it is to assist the over 60% of local residents who are intensely struggling to afford housing. We must start with our developments and with each new thoughtfully approved project we know that our leaders are making a difference and helping our community. Let us keep working together to help our communities.

LEVI SNYDER

NIBCA 2023 President