Myriad Wood River Valley residents have stepped forward to help maintain a sense of community, speaking out on pressing issues such as the lack of affordable housing.
Burgeoning interest is a sign that the community has recognized the need for affordable housing. But a few Ketchum officials are beginning to wonder if too many interests are competing for the same goal.
Rebekah Helzel, founder of Advocates for Real Community Housing, or ARCH, presented to the Ketchum City Council Monday, May 1, plans for a Wood River Housing Trust.
"We know you've embarked on a very big goal of adding affordable housing to the city," Helzel said.
A housing trust in conjunction with the Blaine-Ketchum Housing Authority, or BKHA, could provide more affordable-housing opportunities, she said.
It would be a Community Housing Development Corporation, or CHDO, for this area of Idaho, Helzel said, providing mechanisms for operations and other costs.
Separate entities, including Whole Communities, the Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency, or URA, and Ketchum's forthcoming nonprofit community development corporation, or CDC, also have similar goals.
"It seems like there's considerable overlapping," said Councilwoman Terry Tracy.
"There's no vowels," joked Councilman Ron Parsons.
The Wood River Housing Trust will, among other things, facilitate private land donations, work with BKHA to emphasize new homeowner credit counseling and use joint leverage for specific projects.
The trust would play a larger part in the home-buying process than the Housing Authority does, she added.
The trust has written its bylaws and is waiting for word from the Internal Revenue Service before it can begin operating. Eventually, the trust and ARCH will be the same entity, Helzel said.
"It isn't what it can or can't do differently (from ARCH)," Helzel said. "It's the philosophy of using land as the affordability subsidy, the flexibility of land-lease and being a part of a network of other organizations so you have other resources to draw on."
Ketchum Mayor Randy Hall expressed approval of the idea.
"I see this an another level of certification—another tool in our toolbox," he said.
Tracy wasn't as sure.
"I don't think you should keep adding tools to your tool box until you can't close it," she said. "You have to be selective."
With a need for at least 800 more affordable housing units, Hall said, multiple entities can pursue different angles.
"If you want to retain local character of a town," Helzel said, "you have to retain local characters."
REBEKAH HELZEL
