Collaboration has been key to the success that ARCH and Habitat for Humanity have achieved in developing affordable housing together in Blaine County. The organizations are now ready to take the next step by formally merging into a single entity. With four entities in Blaine County focusing on affordable housing, both organizations believe that the merger will make the development of affordable housing more efficient and serve the current market better. The Habitat model only allows for ownership opportunities. Today the demand in the Wood River Valley, and across the nation, has shifted to rental housing. Nationally, the housing industry anticipates roughly 5 to 6 million new renter households over the next ten years. Affordable rental housing has been a primary ARCH focus. Additionally, the two organizations have similar donor lists and prospective board members overlap. We feel that the merger will ease the pressure on donors and board members in the valley.
