Groups work toward affordable homes

Anthony Kuipers, Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Moscow, Idaho
·2 min read

Apr. 18—Two local nonprofits are partnering in an effort to bring more affordable housing to the Palouse.

In a Wednesday presentation to the League of Women Voters of Moscow, Palouse Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Jennifer Wallace announced the nonprofit plans to increase its production by building two homes a year starting in 2024. Wallace said the organization has been building one home a year on the Palouse since she began working there in 2009.

Wallace said Palouse Habitat for Humanity will be able to do this partly because of a partnership with Moscow Affordable Housing Trust, another local nonprofit.

Moscow Affordable Housing Trust buys land and hires contractors to build homes that are sold to income-qualifying buyers at a below-market price. Wallace approached Housing Trust Director Nils Peterson about building homes on trust land.

"It's an immediate turnkey solution to build a house," Peterson said. "So I'm very excited about it."

Moscow Affordable Housing Trust has recently partnered with University of Idaho architecture students to build three homes off of Palouse River Drive on the south side of Moscow. The first home sold for $185,000.

Peterson also received federal funding to build four 700-square-foot homes next to the UI homes.

"We are trying an exploration of building small houses," Peterson said.

These projects are an effort to help meet demand for more starter homes on the Palouse. Wallace said these two- to three-bedroom houses are less available because they are typically less profitable for developers to build.

Additionally, it is getting more difficult for the low and middle class to afford homes. Wallace said the median home price in Latah and Whitman counties is nearly $500,000. The median income is $40,000.

"Generally speaking, the average income cannot afford the average home price," Wallace said. "That's not a sustainable model."

Peterson said according to federal statistics, the average income in Latah County has risen 2.5% per year in the past decade. Meanwhile, the average home prices have risen 8.5%.

Peterson said home availability provides numerous benefits to the community. Among them, it helps employers retain and recruit new employees to the area.

Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.