TETON COUNTY-DRIGGS-TETONIA-VICTOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP MEETING MINUTES MEETING DATE: Wednesday, January 3, 2018 MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Barker, Brady Bardull, Todd Cedarholm, Megan O Brien, MEMBERS ABSENT: Josh Thulin, Peter Boogaard. One seat is vacant. OTHERS PRESENT: Doug Self, City of Driggs; Josh Wilson, City of Victor; Kendra Heimbuck, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Teton Area; Chris Peterson, Alta resident; Pat Butts, Community Resource Center Board Member; Ted Hendricks and Rick Miller, East Central Idaho Planning and Development Association. Administrative Items The advisory group members approved the December, 2017 meeting minutes. Staff Communications Chris Peterson E-mail correspondence from Chris Peterson, recently relocated to Alta, was summarized by Doug Self and by Chris Peterson, who was in attendance. Mr. Peterson described his experience in urban infill development and financing and offered to assist the advisory group in harnessing exploring and evaluating incentive tools and development opportunities. ACTION Doug: will forward Chris Peterson s email to the advisory group members. Lindsey Love Email correspondence from Lindsey Love was received, highlighting the work of Community Rebuilds. Doug Self also noted that Lindsey Love had been selected by the Council of Governments for appointment to the vacant seat on the affordable housing technical advisory group. ACTION All: review information at www.communityrebuilds.org. Kendra Heimbuck, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Teton Area Kendra Heimbuck reviewed the Habitat for Humanity organization and programs (see attached presentation slides).
Ms. Heimbuck noted that Habitat for Humanity was beginning to consider where to focus next after The Grove project in Jackson was completed. Habitat had completed a project in Lincoln County with three single-family units of 1,200sf each and these could be built again in a similarly sized project in Teton Valley as a first project. She stated that Habitat for Humanity was interested in helping to address affordable housing needs in Teton Valley. Ms. Heimbuck stated that the Wyoming Development Council purchases Habitat s mortgages at 85% of value, which is a significant financial part of their model, and that such a partner would be needed in Idaho as well. Brady Barkdull clarified that developer partnerships with Habitat in Jackson are largely due to the affordable housing mitigation requirements in Teton County, WY and noted that there are no mitigation requirements in Teton County, ID. The group discussed the likelihood that Teton County, WY housing mitigation requirements would soon be revised to allow mitigation projects to include housing priced up to an affordable level for those earning 200% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Kendra Heimbuck stated that Habitat works on the lower end of the AMI typically and provides units below 50% of AMI in some cases. She added that since Habitat is the lender and provides a 0% interest loan, buyers can afford a higher priced home. Ms. Heimbuck listed several hurdles for working in Teton Valley (see attached slides), one of which would be development of sponsors and donors willing to fund affordable housing projects in Teton Valley. The group discussed how donor development might be impacted by whether or not the affordable housing would be bought by those working in Jackson or those working in Teton Valley. The group noted that approximately 50% of households county-wide have at least one person who commutes to employment in Jackson and that this figure rises to nearly 80% in Victor. Location of housing could thus influence the buyer pool. Doug Self stated a preference for Habitat to stick with its model of selecting qualified applicants based on the greatest need, demonstrated by income. Megan O Brien observed that there may be more money willing to flow from Jackson to build homes that will house those working in Jackson. The group agreed to discuss this topic further at the next meeting s strategic planning session. Another hurdle noted was a land donation. Kendra Heimbuck stated that Habitat would be open to considering any type of project (single-family, duplex, condominium) at this point. Ted Hendricks and Rick Miller, East Central Idaho Planning and Development Association (aka The Development Company) Ted Hendricks and Rick Miller described their interest in developing apartment, condominiums or townhouses, with possibly some commercial on the bottom floor, behind the Trailhead Building (former old Ford garage) on the north end of Driggs. ECIPDA owns the property and is working with a neighboring land owner to develop conceptual plans for access and other improvements that could support the housing development. Mr. Miller stated that this could be a year 2020 project if everything proceeded efficiently. Doug Self asked if ECIPDA would partner with a non-profit housing development organization to utilize the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program. Mr. Hendricks 2 of 9
stated that he was exploring this with groups such as Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership and The Housing Company. Doug Self and Chris Peterson noted that although the LIHTC survived the tax overhaul legislation, it would have less value in the market because of the lower corporate tax rate and therefore it may be more difficult to put together a project with the LIHTC component. Rick Miller stated that they would need to know the size of units that are needed. Megan O Brien stated that she would send rental data she had collected to Rick Miller. She suggested a mix of sizes from studio to 3 bedrooms were needed. Housing Supply Plan Discussion Doug Self reviewed carry over items from the December meeting. First/Last/Deposit (FLD) Program Megan O Brien stated that Community Resource Center board member Pat Butts was finishing up research of the FLD program and would be able to present a proposal soon, which would likely include a payback process. Weatherization Megan O Brien stated that she had spoken to Fall River Rural Electric and found that their program will give rebates to owners after purchases or improvements are made. Doug Self asked whether this was the same program that Jay Doman of EICAP had mentioned they had a stockpile of unspent funds for. Megan stated that she could clarify with EICAP, but that she believed it was the same funding and could not be used by renters. Strategic Planning Megan O Brien suggested inviting someone from the hospital, school district and sheriff s office to attend the February strategic planning meeting. Doug Self stated that he could also send a survey out to public service agencies prior to the meeting to identify housing needs. ACTION Doug: send invites to public service agencies and request housing needs information. ACTION Doug/Megan: outline strategic planning process for next meeting. Meeting Adjourned at 5:30pm 3 of 9
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