affordable housing

DACA recipients, also known as dreamers, who have lived and worked in Teton County for at least a year are now eligible to qualify to buy affordable housing. Teton County has a growing Latino population and it's estimated that many of the 510 DACA recipients in Wyoming, live in Teton County. Wyoming Public Radio's Kamila Kudelska has this story.

The Jackson Town Council and Teton County Commissioners unanimously passed a housing regulation change that allows DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, also known as Dreamers, to qualify to purchase affordable housing.

Wyoming's Emergency Rental Assistance Program has awarded $4.7 million to more than 1,400 households. That money comes from a large pool of funding from the federal government. Recently, Wyoming and other small states were criticized for spending only a fraction of their funding so far. But Wyoming Public Radio's Jeff Victor spoke with Department of Family Services Director Korin Schmidt who said the program is accelerating after a rocky start. But that rocky start, Schmidt said, was necessary to get out as much assistance as possible to all the people who needed it.

By just about any measure, Laramie, Wyoming is experiencing a housing crisis. There aren't enough homes available, the homes that are available are too expensive, and rental prices are high. As Wyoming Public Radio's Jeff Victor reports, all of this hurts the local economy.

The Jackson Hole affordable housing department has increased the money they can provide to help pay for downpayment assistance. The increase comes as officials work to make sure houses are owned by the local workforce.

The city of Sheridan and the county are working on a housing needs assessment to better understand what the community needs the most.

Around the state, businesses are either limiting their hours or closing all together because they can't hire enough employees. This comes as the northwest region is seeing a record number of tourists. Wyoming Public Radio's Kamila Kudelska looks at the problem in Cody.

Northern Arapaho Tribal Housing is helping to disperse federal funds aimed at helping those impacted by COVID-19 make rent and utility payments.

Jackson Hole is familiar with housing and employee shortages but this year, things are a little different for several reasons. That's according to a new survey from the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.

The Jackson Hole library, recreation center and a couple of restaurants have announced that they will have limited opening hours this summer. But this is not because of a lack of workforce. The problem is a lack of affordable housing for employees.