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Every two years, the joint town and county housing department reviews its rules and regulations, including who qualifies for affordable housing programs. On Monday, representatives from both the town council and county commissioners met to discuss potential changes.
This year, one of the most contested agenda items is whether to expand the definition of “critical service providers,” who are currently eligible for the program. Expanding the definition to include more fields and whether to add specific job titles, such as school teacher, is on the table.
According to Housing Department director April Norton, critical service providers currently include “an employee or volunteer of a community-based institutional or nonprofit organization on call 24 hours per day for public safety emergencies.”
The Housing Authority and staff both agree with keeping the status quo definition for critical service providers. But, some electeds, including Commissioner Greg Epstein, think they should consider expanding it to cover other essential occupations, including some outside healthcare and education.
“Plow drivers and tow truck drivers. Where do they fall in this matrix?” Epstein asked during Monday’s meeting. “They’re completely necessary — 100%. Who else is going to clear the roads when there is an accident? “
Plow truck drivers are currently included on the list of critical service providers, though tow truck drivers are not because they don’t fall under a community-based organization. No consensus was reached on whether to expand the definition to other specific occupations.
Another item they did discuss was whether to cap asset limits for renters in the affordable housing program. The committee agreed to look into setting asset limits that match the affordable housing ownership program, as there are currently none for the rental program.
They also looked at expanding who qualifies — and who doesn’t — for the rental program.
The joint housing committee was largely against opening the program to Central Wyoming College students or retirees, unless those who fall under the latter demographic have lived locally for at least a decade.
An additional income range that would qualify for the affordable housing program could become a reality, with a potential expansion to include residents who make between 120% and 160% of the median family income. The program was previously only available to 120% income brackets and below.
Aligned with the staff recommendation, the housing authority recommended the additional income category, citing a study that suggests previous numbers needed to be recalculated to account for current market conditions.
“The study states that households earning less than 163% of median family income need some kind of local subsidy or assistance to afford to live locally,” the staff report reads.
The town council members and county commissioners made it through half of the 20 agenda items presented by the housing authority, before resuming the conversation in two weeks.
Whether or not to allow preferential treatment for Jackson Hole High School graduates in the housing application will be up for debate, a potential change that some officials deemed controversial.
After that, if the changes are approved at the Oct. 7 joint meeting, the 45-day public comment period will begin before any become final.
