HAILEY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Blaine County is one of the most expensive counties in Idaho. According to Rocket Homes, the median price to buy a house as of last month is $719,000. Typical rent can reach as high as $4,000 a month.
Blaine County Schoo District Superintendent Jim Foudy says that has made it difficult for the district to recruit and retain teachers in the area, with some living in different counties.
“We have a significant amount of staff who commute to the area to work and don’t live here,” Foudy said. “So, staff in Twin Falls, Shoshone.”
He adds that high rental and home prices mean a typical teacher needs to make more to pay rent independently.
“When that best-fit candidate can’t afford to live here it’s a loss for that person, it’s a loss for the school district and it’s a loss for the families.”
According to Michelle Griffith, Executive Director of ARCH Community Housing Trust, the remote work culture has had a big impact on housing prices in Blaine County.
“You would need three and a half of their salaries in order to comfortably or reasonably afford market rate rents,” Griffith said.
ARCH and the school district agreed to provide affordable housing for local educators. So far, they’ve built five houses, with three more under construction.
Renting a house in Blaine County can be extremely expensive, so each tenant will pay a different amount of rent, depending on their income.
“We set a market rate but then they only pay 30% adjusted gross income for the household,” Foudy said.
The houses are also conveniently located within walking distance of the district office and nearby schools.
These temporary homes are used as bridge housing for the first two years.
ARCH expects the three other houses still under construction to be ready for move-in by April 2025.
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