After weeks of public debate, the Jackson Town Council voted 4–1 on Monday night to approve spending up to $4.05 million to purchase rental rights for six units at the Nelson Drive affordable housing development. The decision marks a significant step toward closing the project’s final funding gap — and a broader moment in Jackson’s ongoing struggle to house its workforce.
The 36-unit development, led by the Jackson Hole Community Housing Trust in partnership with the Bridger-Teton National Forest, is planned adjacent to the popular Nelson Drive trailhead. Thirteen units are designated for U.S. Forest Service employees, while the remaining homes will serve town, county, nonprofit, and community residents.
The approved funding would come from specific purpose excise tax (SPET) dollars voters approved in 2022 for employee housing. While Mayor Arne Jorgensen supported the project overall, he opposed the final motion, arguing the town should purchase fewer units to preserve limited SPET funds for future needs.
Public input was mixed. Supporters emphasized the urgency of workforce housing and the rising cost of construction, noting the project’s estimated $550 per square foot build cost is competitive in today’s market. Critics questioned whether the town should invest public dollars in housing located on federal land or pay $675,000 per unit for 30-year rental rights without ownership.
Councilors ultimately agreed that the Nelson Drive homes — which include larger floor plans and garages — offer long-term value for recruiting and retaining town employees, even at a higher price point than other proposed developments.
Teton County commissioners have not yet decided whether to participate in the project, though the proposal is expected to come before them in early January. If approved, the development would house up to 25 government employees, reinforcing Nelson Drive as a cornerstone of Jackson’s workforce housing strategy.
