For the first time, the Jackson Hole Community Housing Trust and Bridger-Teton National Forest are teaming up to tackle one of the valley’s toughest challenges: affordable housing. At the Nelson Drive trailhead in East Jackson, the partners plan to break ground next spring on a 36-unit development that will house more than 70 people — including 13 Forest Service employees and their families.
The project has been over a decade in the making. Originally approved as part of a Forest Service planning process, the site is zoned for administrative use, making housing permissible without additional public comment. What makes this project remarkable is its structure: a 30-year Special Use Permit that allows the Housing Trust to design, build, and manage the homes while ensuring a third remain dedicated to Forest Service staff. The rest will serve income-qualified local residents, from firefighters to service workers.
Rents are scaled by income and occupation. For example, two-bedroom units with garages and decks will cost Forest Service families about $1,500 per month, compared with $3,000 for qualified local renters. Smaller one-bedroom units will range from $1,000–$2,000 depending on income.
The $32.6 million development is being funded through a mix of federal grants, loans, philanthropy, and a creative rental-option tool that lets local employers secure housing for their workers while providing upfront capital.
“This project is about creating a new model for communities nationwide that are struggling to house their essential forest employees,” said Anne Cresswell, Housing Trust executive director. Forest Supervisor Chad Hudson echoed her sentiment: “To attract and maintain a viable workforce, we have no choice but to invest in housing.”
At Cache Creek, Jackson is proving that bold partnerships can transform trailheads into trailblazing housing solutions.
Article Link: https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/news/state/housing-trust-bridger-teton-unveil-36-unit-housing-development-at-cache-creek-trailhead/article_29bc3eb3-2174-43a4-b2d7-466698ff0112.html
