Governor's Affordable Housing Task Force To Hold Public Hearings in Idaho Falls and Pocatello on May 12

IDAHO FALLS / POCATELLO - An affordable housing public hearing will be held Monday (May 12) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m, at the Shilo Inn, 780 Lindsay Boulevard in Idaho Falls. A second hearing will be also be held May 12 in Pocatello from 7 to 8:30 p.m, at the Quality Inn, 1555 Pocatello Creek Road. Both hearings are sponsored by the Governor's Affordable Housing Advisory Task Force. Housing industry professionals, businesses, community leaders and the public are encouraged to attend.

Task Force members representing 17 organizations statewide are asking the Idaho Falls and Pocatello communities to identify affordable housing barriers in their area and to recommend strategies for government to better promote affordable housing opportunities.

Governor Batt formed the Task Force in April to assess existing affordable housing resources throughout the state. Task Force members will submit a final report to the Governor in October 1997. The report will assess the effectiveness of existing affordable housing resources and how they are being used, as well as evaluating a variety of ways to leverage market resources and remove regulatory barriers. The report will also define appropriate roles for the various state, federal and local government agencies involved in providing affordable housing funds.

The Task Force will use the comments given at the hearings and information obtained from the questionnaires to establish Idaho's affordable housing policy. Public hearings will also be held in Boise on June 16, Twin Falls on June 17, and Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston on July 21.