Valley County Commissioner Co-Chairs National Housing Task Force

Valley County, Idaho — Valley County Commissioner Sherry Maupin will co-chair the newly formed National Association of Counties (NACo) Housing Task Force. The task force, comprised of 30 county government officials from across the country, will identify needs, challenges and solutions related to housing.

“Counties are on the front lines of responding to the housing crisis,” said NACo President Denise Winfrey. “Stable, quality housing is the foundation for better health, safety, education, a strong workforce, improved financial wellness, and lower demands on the social safety net. NACo’s Housing Task Force is committed to meeting the moment and addressing our residents’ housing needs.“

The Housing Task Force will explore intergovernmental partnerships that support housing solutions among federal, state and local officials, along with private, nonprofit, and homeownership and rental partners.

The group will examine comprehensive solutions to address the complex conditions that undermine housing affordability. Housing costs are outpacing job and wage growth in many areas, with many colliding factors, including:

-Supply chain disruptions

-Labor shortages

-Increased demand for short-term rentals

-Land costs

-Demographic pattern shifts due to generational population changes and economic competitiveness

-Institutional investors

-Governmental policies, regulations and capacities, and

-Competing public, private and community interests and incentives.

County roles and responsibilities related to housing vary significantly across, and even within, different states. Depending on specific structures and authority, county governments can play a leading role in:

-Tax policies

-Financing and lending

-Down payment and closing cost assistance

-Building permits and code enforcement

-Land use and zoning

-Infrastructure development

-Workforce housing

-Public safety and emergency management, and

-Community planning.

Regardless of specific county functions and responsibilities, all counties have the potential to establish and enhance partnerships with public, private and nonprofit sector stakeholders.

The Housing Task Force will host in-person and virtual meetings, as well as produce original research, to examine the role of county governments in providing residents with more housing, greater variety of housing, and better housing affordability and value.

Learn more about the NACo Housing Task Force here.