Public invited to housing trust groundbreaking
In July 2024, KLT funded a 6-parcel plot of land within Priest River city limits. With 6 buildable lots, water and sewer service, sidewalks, carports, and house plans for 1,500 square-foot, 3 bedroom/2 bathroom homes in place, this parcel that is located adjacent to a recent housing development is exactly what KLT and the housing committee were looking for.
Courtesy photo
PRIEST RIVER — The community is invited to get a sneak peek at North Idaho's first community housing project at an upcoming groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 24.
The ceremony will kick off work on The Village at River View, a combined effort by the Kaniksu Land Trust, LEAP Housing, and Bonner Community Housing Agency. The ceremony will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Potlatch Loop, in Priest River. The public is invited to celebrate this pioneering initiative alongside the local housing trust committee members and community leaders, with Priest River Mayor Jeff Connolly officiating the ceremony.
KLT officials said the event marks a pivotal step in addressing attainable housing solutions in the area.
Refreshments will be provided by Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters and Winter Ridge Natural Foods Market.
The Potlatch Loop Project dates back to 2024 when KLT began laying the groundwork for the housing initiative, first establishing a housing advisory committee that began drafting governing documents, structuring operations, drafting the ground lease, and researching mortgage and lending options.
In July, KLT funded the 6-parcel plot of land within Priest River city limits that would become the Village at River View. Located next to an existing housing development, the site features six buildable lots with water and sewer service, sidewalks, and carports and would allow for the construction of 1,500 square-foot, 3-bedroom/2-bathroom homes.
The housing trust will offer a 99-year renewable lease on the land and the homes can be sold or passed on to family as long as the succeeding owners meet the CLT criteria. Homeowners can earn equity capped at 2.5% per year. Qualifying buyers must live in and derive a minimum of 67% of their income from a 5-zip code boundary in the Priest River area.
LEAP Housing, an Idaho-based affordable housing nonprofit with an office in Boise and a growing presence statewide, has joined alongside KLT in this and future projects with the intent that LEAP will become this region’s housing trust non-profit.
With ongoing support from KLT, Bonner Community Housing Agency, and other community partners, LEAP Housing is poised to expand the program into Sandpoint and surrounding areas of need. KLT has already identified several potentially suitable parcels near Sandpoint in Ponderay and Kootenai. For additional information about the Potlatch Loop Project, visit kaniksu.org/housing or contact Kaniksu Land Trust directly at 208-263-9471 or via email at info@kaniksu.org.