Who we are
Since 2005, ARCH has transformed the way our community looks at housing affordability. By purchasing, restoring, and building properties in Blaine County, we are able to welcome into the neighborhood our teachers, police officers, hospital technicians, firefighters, nurses, and others who serve the community.
By remaining committed to our mission of developing permanent solutions to housing affordability, ARCH improves the quality of life for hardworking families who, in a more typical community, would not need housing assistance. We ensure that the people who serve this community can afford to live here.
This commitment to empowering our community is carried out through programs that strengthen foundations, provide opportunities, advance economic vitality and promote cooperation within our community.
Our Vision
To create a thriving, sustainable, year-round community in Blaine County.
Our Mission
To develop safe, permanently affordable housing for persons of low to moderate-income and to work with all interested public and private parties towards this objective.
Our Values
Honesty, Integrity, Citizenship, Enhancement, Community, Affordability, Quality
Our Principles
To deliver high-quality affordable housing.
To balance effective use of resources with the delivery of attractive, long-lasting housing.
To integrate workforce housing compatible with surrounding neighborhoods.
Our History
Originally an advocacy group, ARCH was formed in 2005 by founder, past Board President, and current Advisory Board Member, Rebekah Helzel. The organization focused on educating policymakers, employers, and the public at large about the need for permanent housing affordability solutions and the resulting problems if affordable housing is unavailable.
In 2007 we amended our bylaws and IRS application to become a Community Land Trust (CLT) with a view to actively acquire land and homes to ensure ongoing affordability. We are a member of the National CLT Network.
Also since 2007 we have been certified as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) by the Idaho Housing Finance Association.
The Housing Challenge
From 2016 to 2020, the median sale of a single family home in Blaine County increased by:
+127%
Source: Windermere Sun Valley
Meanwhile, the median household income decreased by:
– 0.25%
Source: HUD (Housing & Urban Development)
Since the general rule of thumb is that a household can afford 3x the annual household income when buying a home. That means it takes 9.52 Blaine County household incomes to purchase the median home.
Since 2009 ARCH has:
Delivered
Over 130 units of affordable housing.
Leveraged
Over $675k in private donations with federal housing dollars.
Secured
Over $26 million in federal housing dollars.
The Project Pipeline
It's bigger than you think!
ARCH is constantly working towards bridging the housing affordability gap. At any given time, ARCH has developments in every stage of the pipeline. The entire process takes at least two years, but often up to five years.
STEP ONE
Identify & Purchase Land
1 Month to Several Years
The development process begins with identifying and purchasing land.
STEP TWO
Land Entitlement
3 to 6 Months
The land is entitled, which means it goes through the city approval process.
STEP THREE
Housing Design Process
3 to 4 Months
ARCH designs the housing process. This includes architecture and engineering.
STEP FOUR
Building Permit Process
2-4 Weeks
ARCH submits the designs to the county for a building permit
STEP FIVE
Construction
12 Months
Materials begin to arrive and construction follows once a permit is acquired.
STEP SIX
Family Moves In
Immediately
The full process takes anywhere from two to five years after the initial purchase of land.
