Missing Middle Housing Forum

Description

The City of Coeur d’Alene, Coeur d’Alene Association of REALTORS, and CDA 2030 have teamed up to host a half-day Missing Middle Housing Forum to address the need for infill, urban, and affordable housing inventory in our community and the greater region. Missing Middle Housing is a transformative concept that highlights the need for diverse, affordable housing choices in sustainable, walkable places. It encompasses all of the housing types in between single-family detached homes and mid-rise apartments.

Expert Tony Perez of Opticos Design will guide the discussion and present findings and best practices from other communities who have overcome the same challenges and took a proactive approach to build community consensus that encourage additional housing solutions and make policy level changes.

The forum will include panelists from the City of Coeur d'Alene, the Coeur d'Alene Association of REALTORS, Habitat for Humanity, North Idaho Building Contractors Association, Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce, bankers/lenders, and major employers in Coeur d’Alene. Panelists will share their professional perspectives on what their industries are experiencing and anticipating with housing and affordability. The forum will also include a housing preferences exercise to identify preferred housing types and areas of the community suitable for Missing Middle Housing, and roundtable discussions focused on housing demand; financing ideas; creative solutions for housing; compatible housing types; incentives for affordable housing; what is working in other communities; and short- and long-term goals for Missing Middle Housing.

The desired outcomes of the forum are to learn more about Missing Middle housing and identify where and what types of infill housing would be most suitable in our neighborhoods, better inform community leaders on opportunities and policy changes necessary to address the need for affordable housing, identify barriers to affordable housing development and possible partners, and get buy-in leading to policy change and code amendments. The event is geared toward public officials, home builders, developers, realtors, lenders, businesses, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, community members, and anyone who is affected by the lack of affordable housing inventory and housing choices in our community.

The event is being made possible thanks to a grant from the National Association of Realtors and local sponsors.  While the focus of the event is the City of Coeur d’Alene, the topic of housing is of regional importance.  As such, invitations to attend are being extended to Kootenai County and neighboring cities as well. The event is FREE to attend. Registration is required to ensure adequate seating. Please register through eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/missing-middle-housing-forum-tickets-66370944281   

There is an online survey that we are asking participants to complete prior to the forum.  The survey is also open to community members to take even if they are unable to attend the forum. To take the survey, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/26JVJQX