5th Housing and Growth Workshop March 5 in Coeur d’Alene, 660+ Homes

Housing Solutions Partnership reported progress at its 5th annual Housing and Growth Workshop in Coeur d’Alene, telling local officials, planners and developers that deed-restricted housing developments will add more than 660 affordable homes across Kootenai County. The free public session ran from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on March 5, 2026, in the Coeur d’Alene Library Community Room and focused on concrete steps to expand housing for local workers.

Organizers emphasized access and logistics for the March 5 workshop, noting space was limited and asking interested attendees to RSVP as instructed on the event page, “Space is limited so please RSVP by emailing (/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection).” The Housing Solutions Partnership directs stakeholders to its website for further event materials and updates. Sponsors listed for the workshop included HMH Engineering and the Idaho Housing and Finance Association.

The program featured presentations on deed-restricted housing developments that collectively add more than 660 affordable homes in Kootenai County, highlights of the partnership’s work and upcoming projects, a legislative update, and the Solutions ToolKit of strategies for increasing housing for local workers. The toolkit includes launched initiatives such as HomeShare Kootenai County and other projects organizers described as in progress or exploratory.

Kiki Miller, Coeur d’Alene City Council member and a founder of the Housing Solutions Partnership, framed the workshop as a progress report: “The Housing Solutions Partnership has successfully launched several projects that are creating more affordable housing options for local workers.” Miller also noted the partnership’s recognition, saying, “The partnership was recognized statewide as an organization that is ahead of the curve tackling the housing crisis,” and added, “The work the partnership is doing can be replicated throughout the state.” Miller acknowledged local skepticism while contrasting Kootenai County’s pace: “Some in the community are skeptical of whether anything can be done at this point to change the trajectory of the housing crisis, but she said Kootenai County is making far more progress than other communities with similar housing challenges.”

Private-sector impacts were raised by Pete Broschet, Empire Airlines’ Director of Human Resources, who spoke at the workshop about workforce consequences: “The housing crisis has had a direct impact on our ability to recruit and retain talented workers. Without affordable housing options, we face significant challenges in attracting the workforce needed to sustain our operations and grow our business. It’s not just about finding skilled candidates, but also ensuring they have a place to live that’s accessible and affordable.”

The partnership pointed to prior engagement as context: more than 50 area leaders gathered at a November 7, 2024 meeting in Coeur d’Alene where Miller reported that “24 of 30 categories of local workers — including police officers, teachers and even chief executives — are priced out of buying a home in Kootenai County.” Organizers said several other projects remain on the horizon, and they urged planners, elected officials, planning and zoning commissioners, builders and developers to follow ongoing progress through the Housing Solutions Partnership’s online materials. The group also highlighted its recent award from the American Planning Association’s Idaho Chapter as validation of its approach.