November 10, 2024
Housing in Idaho: Problems and Real Solutions
By: ID Senator Tammy Nichols
Like many other states, Idaho is facing a housing affordability problem. Rapid growth, higher construction costs, and layers of government regulation have made it increasingly difficult for families, especially young Idahoans, to find a place to call home.
The chart above (from one of the Assessor’s Offices) shows how subdivision growth has surged over the last seven years. As more people move here from higher cost states, demand has outpaced supply. The median home price now ranges between $500,000 and $550,000, and the average rent is about $1,681.
Many Idahoans are understandably concerned about the pace of growth, how quickly communities are changing, how farmland is disappearing, and how the character of our small towns is being affected. At the same time, many young people who grew up here, who attended Idaho schools, work locally, and hoped to raise families in the same communities they were raised, are questioning if they’ll ever be able to afford a home in the state they love.
The Problem: Red Tape and Rising Costs
Much of Idaho’s housing challenge stems from government interference. Outdated zoning laws, lengthy permitting, and excessive restrictions slow construction, limit flexibility, and drive up costs.
This summer, Idaho’s Land Use and Housing Study Committee heard testimony confirming what many already know, the permitting and approval process takes too long and adds unnecessary expense. One county official summarized it well:
“The permitting and approval process is too time consuming, which contributes to a lack of affordable housing.”
While many of these barriers exist at the local and state level, others come from the federal government, including complex HUD regulations, lending classifications, and financing limits that make it harder for buyers to qualify for manufactured or modular homes. Whether the red tape comes from Washington or from city hall, the result is the same: higher costs and fewer options for Idaho families.
The Solution: Freedom, Innovation, and Responsible Growth
Recently, I toured a manufactured home facility (see my photos on Instagram and Facebook) to see firsthand how innovation can help meet Idaho’s housing needs. These aren’t the “trailers” of the past, they’re high quality, efficient homes with open layouts, garages, and attractive finishes. Priced on average around $108,000 for single-section and $166,200 for multi-section models, they offer an attainable path to ownership without taxpayer subsidies or new government programs.
Tiny homes are another option: affordable, energy efficient, and often under $100,000, but many cities still block them through zoning and permitting restrictions.
Solutions are out there, but sometimes we have to look outside the norm. By cutting red tape, reforming outdated regulations, and empowering the free market, Idaho can keep housing affordable while managing growth responsibly.
Growth should be wise and balanced, supporting opportunity while maintaining the Idaho way of life that we all cherish.
And I’d like to hear from you, comment below:
What ideas do you have to help Idaho families, especially our younger generation, find affordable paths to homeownership while ensuring growth remains responsible and sustainable?
Because the best housing solution isn’t more regulation, it’s more freedom, innovation, and opportunity for Idaho families and future generations who want to call Idaho home.
