Connect Kootenai targets housing challenges

Though the name is new, Connect Kootenai — formerly CDA2030 — is continuing the mission and priority of the Regional Housing Growth Issues Partnership: to increase the affordability and availability of housing in Kootenai County.

Members of the partnership, including representatives from local government, business organizations and nonprofits, voted earlier this year to merge the Regional Housing Growth with Connect Kootenai.

This move bolsters partnership efforts to address Kootenai County's housing woes by providing dedicated staff and additional resources.

"Connect Kootenai exists to create a better tomorrow so everyone can belong, thrive and have an opportunity to make a positive impact on their community," said Greta Gissel, executive director of Connect Kootenai. "Our organization champions local worker housing projects and we are focused on addressing the significant housing challenges residents of Kootenai County are facing."

Connect Kootenai is launching a survey this month to help identify the community's priorities and needs as the county's population grows. This survey is similar to the RHGIP's 2021 survey, which identified addressing growth and preserving open space on the Rathdrum Prairie as top concerns. Housing, transportation, schools and aquifer protection were also identified as key priorities. 

Kootenai County residents and employers are encouraged to participate in the online survey, available through June 9. Visit surveymonkey.com/r/YCBYQFM to participate in the 2023 survey.

Survey results from 2021 led to the formation of several subcommittees focused on specific topics, including housing for health care and public safety workers, open space preservation and more. One of RHGIP's objectives was to develop a toolkit with creative solutions to aid the partnership's mission. The toolkit developed over the past two years provides a multitude of items to assist developers, planners and policymakers in creating affordable housing options, Gissel said.

"Connect Kootenai will continue this work to provide vetted solutions that create, protect and preserve local worker housing," she said.

In a recent presentation to the Coeur d'Alene City Council, Gissel shared statistics that underscore the impact growth and rising property values have on the community.

"Median home prices are hovering around $500,000 or more," Gissel said. "Our area median income is $65,000. That puts home ownership out of reach for many families in Kootenai County."

Gissel stated renters have been hit hard. In 2022, Connect Kootenai surveyed 1,500 renters in Kootenai County. The survey revealed that 94% had experienced a rent increase, with an average increase of $376 per month.

This survey will be conducted annually to compare results year over year to help cities understand the challenges many people face in finding affordable housing. Connect Kootenai encourages apartment and house renters in Kootenai County to take this survey. This survey, found at forms.office.com/r/fujVcJzXvr, will also be open until June 9.

According to population forecasts, Kootenai County will continue to grow at a fast clip. The population of Post Falls alone is projected to double to nearly 90,000 people by 2040, Gissel said. In that same time frame, Coeur d'Alene's population is expected to increase 60%, Rathdrum's population may double and Hayden is projecting an 85% population growth. If the projections are accurate, Kootenai County will grow by more than 76,000 people for a total county population of about 260,000 by 2040.

Coeur d'Alene City Council member and founding member of RGHIP Kiki Miller said the partnership accomplished a lot in the past two years. For example, it helped launch a home-sharing program, HomeShare Kootenai County, along with a subcommittee to help manufactured homeowners form co-ops and purchase the land beneath their homes: Resident-owned communities.

"We have made a lot of progress, but addressing the local worker housing crisis is going to take multiple solutions over the course of several years," Miller said.

Connect Kootenai will host a community open house event from 5-7 p.m. June 1 and from 7-9 a.m. June 2 at The Cove in Post Falls, 510 S. Clearwater Loop, Suite 100. The event is free and open to the public.

Guests will have opportunities to meet board members, learn about Connect Kootenai and hear about priority action items and efforts in six focus areas: Housing and growth with a primary focus on affordable local worker housing; education and learning; health and safety; jobs and the economy; environment and recreation; and community and identity.

Three $100 gifts will be given away at the open houses.

Info: connectkootenai.org