housing

Pitkin County's move to change the zoning of most federal land within its boundaries won't affect how the land is used today but is intended to limit development there if it's ever transferred to private ownership.

Some local officials in the Mountain West say federal land could be used in certain cases to ease the region's housing crisis. But they view a plan from Senate Republicans as going much farther than the solutions that have worked in their areas.

Amid a Republican-led push to sell millions of acres of public lands to alleviate the housing affordability crisis, some governors in the Mountain West are pushing back.

The monthly bill for many Wyomingites’ homes absorbs over 30% of their income, the benchmark for what’s considered affordable.

A new study from Headwaters Economics shows that housing on public lands would have only a minimal impact on the West’s housing crisis, with most potential development being focused in a small number of states. Economist Megan Lawson also says that wildfire danger would be a huge risk to these potential homes.

The goal is to build permanent, supportive housing for the vulnerable population.

The town and county’s housing programs dodged legal challenges for now, though some critics suggest future legal threats could be looming.

The layoffs come as Wyoming struggles with an affordable housing crisis.

It’s the second time in recent months electeds have said they need more time.

The only housing advocacy group in the Jackson area, less than a decade old, hopes the creation of a new statewide organization will lead to more political influence in Cheyenne.