As demand for housing grows, small Western towns are experiencing skyrocketing housing costs and rising displacement.
The housing crisis is ramping up in the Teton Valley, a picturesque vacation spot near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, reports Nick Bowlin. In Victor, Idaho, one of the communities just across the border from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the residents of a mobile home park were given 90 days to vacate their lots after the adjacent resort bought the land–eliminating some of the last remaining affordable housing in the rapidly gentrifying area.
With some of the world's wealthiest elites owning homes in Jackson Hole and the 'Zoom Boom' of the last two years pushing more remote workers far from urban centers, the region has some of the country's most extreme income inequality. Now, even the formerly affordable towns across the Idaho border where many service and tourism workers live are experiencing rapid increases in housing costs driven by explosive demand.
As Bowling writes, "Policy changes could be coming: Teton County’s planning and zoning commission is holding hearings regarding a possible overhaul of the county zoning system, which is outdated and offers few tools for controlling development." Across the West, small towns are seeing sharply rising housing costs as urban dwellers with newfound flexibility seek out lower home costs and scenic surroundings.
FULL STORY: Vacation resort replaces affordable housing in Teton Valley
Louisville Launches ‘Anti-Displacement Tool’
After a years-long, tenant-led effort, Louisville will use a new tool to analyze whether a proposed housing development can meet a neighborhood’s housing needs and income levels. If it doesn’t, the city won’t subsidize it.
Austin Becoming Least Affordable City Outside California
The Texas capital, once one of the most affordable metro areas, is experiencing a housing affordability crisis as median prices soar and longtime residents face displacement.
How ‘Filtering’ Opens Up Affordable Housing
An analysis of 12 U.S. cities found that new market-rate construction often leads to more affordable units becoming available, but the effect varies across housing markets.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions