Housing in a Needs-Based Economy
BY ISAIAH FRIZZELL
Needs, needs and kneaded needs
In Abraham Maslow’s 1943 paper, ”Theory of Human Motivation,” he outlines a ladder of human needs beginning with the basic physiological and evolving into the ideal transcendental. This series of evolving human needs, often depicted in the shape of a pyramid, expresses the first tier, the most fundamental and universal of human needs, as air, water, food, clothing, and shelter.
Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs” is a thorough and practical model of the human condition that provides an elegant metric to maintain an objective perspective on where you are in your life, what needs are being met and which aren’t. Do you have food, clothing and shelter? How do you meet those needs? When planning for your future, what happens in the event of a crisis or roadblock to acquiring basic needs?
General Insecurity
As of July 2022, Blaine County had an estimated population of roughly 24,866 with around 50% female, 22.3% seniors (65 and over) and 22.9% under the age of 18. There are a recorded 15,959 housing units for around 2.69 persons per home — the households come out to around 8,579… [census.gov]. Statistically, that means about 25,000 people, 16,000 homes… [census.gov]. Seems legit — especially if the median income recorded at the census is around $71,749. Does that number sound right?
The Blaine County Housing Authority (BCOHA), per its own website, BCOHA.org, word of mouth in the community and here at Wood River Weekly has expressed serious concern over what they’ve been warning is a housing crisis since at least 2020. Rents have skyrocketed with seemingly infinite waiting lists for affordable housing. We’re not talking just stand -lone homes, with yards, fences and garages, but also apartment complexes. BCOHA went so far as to pass a resolution in 2020 asking the community to get involved.
What can the community do to help alleviate the rising cost of housing? Perhaps one of the lowest rents available was at Valley View Apartments in Hailey. In just one year the complex went from around $800 for a one-bedroom unit to $1400. Why? What exactly causes rent increase? These questions are multifaceted and stem from a variety of places, such as national immigration from places ike Los Angele, or even Jerome, Idaho, to international immigration.
Adding to those, there is supply-chain disruption driving the prices of materials and transportation up and even worker shortages as people, at least on the surface, seem less willing to work for what many think are lagging wages. (see https://woodriverweekly.com/index.php/2023/11/01/school-district-trustee-in-drivers-seat/)
The average weekly wage in Blaine County in the first quarter of 2023 was $1,094 [bls.gov]. With median gross rent at $1,052 [census.gov], that’s around three times the rent average for a rental application. tTis should cover it, right? But have you been to the grocery store lately? Should we go into the rising costs of food also?
A number of apartment complexes were asked about the changes in their rental rates. There were vagaries, hang-ups, refusals to answer and, of course, the shifting of blame. In other words, business as usual.
Speaking to people in the community, fingers point all over the map — from the Federal Reserve interest hikes, Executive branch policy, COVID and the remote-work option, to supply chain, monetary changes, Airbnbs, etc. All of these bracket into a mix of general insecurity.
“Everything really started with COVID … no one wants to work because they’re afraid they’ll get sick, or they are sick or just got over being sick. It’s kinda silly but it’s just everything has gone up…” Marco, an independent contractor and freelance editor (remote), as well as lifetime resident of Hailey, continues to talk about working multiple jobs and how many times he’s moved. “I was… living month to month, paying about a thousand in a place they were redoing… cutting it up to make an Airbnb. I stayed with a friend for a while and finally got into a studio. The owners are kinda friends… they’re helping me, but I know they can get more from a stranger,” he finishes with almost a tinge of guilt.
Is it appropriate to feel guilty for getting a good deal? If you’re charging rent, how much is enough to cover your costs and make a profit? If we isolate where the pressure is being applied, such as materials price hikes, can we fix the problem? So much of this is subjective and likely solved on a case-by-case basis.
Solutions
There are a number of options for rent (and other financial) relief.
The Blaine County Charitable Fund (blainecf.org) offers a First/Last/Deposit Assistance Plan that operates on a weekly revolving schedule. You can apply before Thursday, bring in proof of income and a rental agreement and with this they’ll do their magic. If you qualify, they’ll let you know by the next Thursday and, if successful, help you pay those three sums to get you in your new space.
The Blaine County Housing Authority offers assistance with lower rent community housing:
“New Ketchum affordable rental studios or one-bedroom apartments available for income categories 4 and 5
A single person earning between $47,000 and $70,750 would be eligible; a couple earning between $53,700 and $80,600 would also be eligible for one of these units. 2022 tax returns and four pay stubs are required for proof of income. Please submit an application through our website or update your current application so you don’t miss being considered for one of these units.” [BCHOA.org]
And of course there’s the Idaho House and Finance Association which offers Section 8 vouchers for those who qualify.
One other option is The Agape Fund operated by the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. They offer relief for a variety of financial issues with a one-time grant. (http://www.pcbw.org/agape-fund-assistance-form)
Blaine County is a resort town with a rich history in Idaho where the owner-occupied housing units have a median value of nearly double the state average, and times are rapidly changing.
What can the community do to help keep Sun Valley, as a destination resort, alive? Donate? Volunteer? Innovate? Does a tent city sound reasonable for the people who help you year-round?
Recreational facilities, restaurants, school programs all need happy, healthy, anxiety-free workers and these people need affordable housing, at the very minimum.