HOUSING: Regulations may be hindering solutions

Regarding the “workforce housing” shortage described in The Press. Some 20 odd years ago I built a 1,000-square-foot building according to the energy standards of the University of Wisconsin, using earth shelter and solar techniques to house my wood working and automobile restoration hobbies.

Looking forward, and with most of my hobby work complete, I contemplated converting my shop to a living quarters to provide additional income or provide an economical, comfortable place to live when, due to the rapidly increasing inflationary real estate pricing, we are eventually taxed out of our current home. I approached the building department to explore the possibilities but found to my chagrin that there are numerous regulations, which when adhered to, made the conversion financially unaffordable.

Although this is just one example, there are probably many more. I understand the need for some standards, but, perhaps some flexibility in the city’s requirements on existing structures, might help to increase the supply of reasonably priced housing.

WILLIAM TURNER

Coeur d’Alene