Can we figure this out already?
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
By Sam Petri
Once again the Planet contains an article/interview that touches on the issue of affordable housing. It’s an issue that might never go away and is the source of much contention in town. Will there ever be enough affordable housing in Jackson? Ray Elser – Realtor, retired town planning commissioner and the man on our cover – doesn’t think so. Sadly, I agree.
What makes this town so great isn’t the majesty of the Tetons, the fishing on the Snake or the elk on the refuge. It’s the creative, defiant and free people who reside here. If those people have to leave due to a housing shortage or an over-priced housing market, our town will cease to be attractive. It is the working local that makes this town tick. We have plenty of jobs to keep them here – 1.26 jobs per person according to 2003 census data – we just don’t have enough housing and probably never will.
Still, however problematic our town’s situation appears to be, imminent doom is probably not on the horizon. Those who wish to stay in the area for the long haul are moving to Alpine and Victor and commuting to Jackson. At the moment, about one third of our workforce commutes, according to a 2007 Housing Authority study. If these outlying towns continue to see rapid growth, they will become self-sustaining and less reliant on Jackson Hole. In this scenario there will be less incentive for those commuters to “jump the bump” or drive the frozen “road from Hell” that is the Snake River Canyon. Then who will be here to wash the dishes, flip the burgers or plow the driveways?
That is the fear. I hope, however, that we as a town can come together and find a balance as to how much affordable housing can fit appropriately.
There is no doubt in my mind that it’s a luxury to live in Jackson Hole, and therefore not everyone will be able to buy a home here, including myself. Right now, it’s great living in Jackson, Wyo., but if we can’t figure out how to fix this problem, we could go from vibrant to languid as fast as Jackson Hole real estate is appreciating.
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Can we figure this out already? | Planet JH News Article: Editorial
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