Miller honored for housing efforts

Coeur d'Alene City Councilor Kiki Miller's efforts to create local affordable housing opportunities have been noticed.

The American Planning Association Idaho Chapter recently recognized Miller at its 2024 annual conference awards program in Moscow for her efforts in forming and leading the Housing Solutions Partnership. 

APA Idaho’s 2024 Planning Tool or Implementation Award went to the Housing Solutions Partnership for its successful implementation efforts of Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Hauser, Athol, Spirit Lake, Kootenai County, IHFA, KMPO and 56 participating organizations. 

"I’m very honored to receive this award. It illustrates the magnitude of the impact of the housing crisis statewide and even more so in some of our 'zoom boom towns' in Kootenai County," Miller said Tuesday.

Jurisdictions throughout Kootenai County formed the Housing Solutions Partnership in 2020 to address housing and growth-related challenges as real estate and rental costs reached record highs. 

Its mission has been to increase the availability and affordability of housing for local workers in North Idaho.

The median price of a Kootenai County single-family home edged up to $526,750, a slight increase from one year ago. One report said roughly 75% of locals can't afford to buy a house.

According to the APA Idaho Chapter, the award honors a specific planning tool, practice, program, project, process or effort that has accomplished "positive changes."

"It emphasizes innovation, transferability, and results that can be measured over the long-term," a press release said.

Hilary Patterson, Coeur d'Alene community planning director, said Miller has been instrumental in pulling together leaders from around the region to discuss housing challenges since 2020.  

"She has led efforts by the jurisdictions and partner organizations to do a deep dive into potential solutions that are allowed in Idaho," Patterson said. "Her efforts, energy and passion for housing solutions have truly helped move the needle and result in tangible success stories." 

There have been a number of efforts that have successfully launched since 2020, in part due to the partnership, such as a ToolKit on the project website, annual workshops, developer incentives vetted list and HomeShare Kootenai County.

The Housing Solutions Partnership will host its third annual planning and growth workshop Nov. 7.

Miller said the award recognizes the importance of a regional effort by multiple entities and with multiple solutions to provide and preserve local worker housing.

"It’s my hope this work continues into the future and the cities, businesses and local organizations stay engaged and support it," she said.