Connect Kootenai on Housing

Connect Kootenai aims to increase the availability and affordability of housing for local workers in Kootenai County.

For a number of years, regional planning professionals have shared resources and been in communication about growth management, housing, transportation and have worked together on related planning issues. The year 2020 brought heightened concerns as in-migration numbers and housing prices spiked. In response, creation of a more formal group was spearheaded by Coeur d’Alene Council Member Kiki Miller and Community Planning Director Hilary Patterson.

Kootenai County, the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization and the cities of Post Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum joined to form the original work group. They named the group the Regional Housing and Growth Issues Partnership.

In 2023, the partnership merged with Connect Kootenai, a nonprofit formed to create a better future for the people of Kootenai County. Connect Kootenai on Housing & Growth is one of the nonprofit's focus areas.

Connect Kootenai on Housing & Growth has a Working Group and an Advisory Group. The Working Group includes regional planners, along with elected representatives and administrators. The Advisory Group is comprised of representatives from a variety of organizations and community groups.

Our Goals

• Establishing a diverse resource group that can provide factual answers to community and officials questions;

• Put forward solutions and a framework for implementation based on data supported issues with inputs on what the community wants;

• Provide education on what is/is not possible; and

• Work together on regional topics that affect all regarding housing and growth in Kootenai County.