Join the LWV Moscow for our last speaker series event for 2022, Panel Discussion: Housing Issues in Latah County, on Wed., Dec. 14 at 12 p.m. at the 1912 Center.

This event will feature a panel discussion on housing in Latah County with three speakers from the Moscow community. Topics include:

Can thinking small make houses affordable?

Since 1975, the US Census reports that household size has been falling and new house size has been rising, so much that now the average new house has 500 more square feet per person. House size is a driver of sales price, leading to the question, what are the economics of building smaller houses and for whom can they be affordable? Peterson will report on Moscow Affordable Housing Trust’s exploration of the economics of creating smaller houses.

What is local government’s role in housing affordability?

In Moscow, the Community Development Department is responsible for land use planning and the issuance and administration of construction permits. Both the planning and permitting processes play a factor in housing affordability. Riddle will walk through some of the historical trends in housing, and both current and potential tools at the City’s disposal to influence the housing market.

Assistance for Housing Issues in Latah County by St. Vincent de Paul

For the past 20 years, St. Vincent de Paul (St. Francis of Assisi Conference) has provided rental, utilities, emergency housing, and other assistance to the poor in Latah County. Demands for help have increased in numbers of people requesting assistance and the amount of assistance provided to families and individuals.

Speaker Bios:

Nils Peterson has served as Executive Director at Moscow Affordable Housing Trust since April 2014. During that time the Trust has created 7 affordable houses, the most recent 4 have been sold using the Community Land Trust model to create permanent affordability. Peterson is the 2022-23 Board President for the NW Community Land Trust Coalition, a regional association that promotes land trust activities. The Coalition is partnering on a $1M contract with the State of Washington to provide capacity building to the state’s current and aspiring community land trusts.

Cody Riddle is a proud graduate of the University of Idaho. He returned to Moscow about a year ago to serve as the Deputy City Supervisor for Community Development. He oversees a dynamic team responsible for land use planning, permitting, inspection, engineering, and grant writing and administration for the City. Prior to his return, Cody served the City of Boise for nearly 18 years, most recently as the Deputy Planning Director.

Bob Tribelhorn has been a member and volunteer of St. Vincent de Paul for seven years. He retired in 2014 after a 35-year career with the Natural Resources Conservation Service working in Montana, Alaska, and Idaho. Bob worked with many farmers, ranchers, Conservation Districts, RC&D Councils, Cities and Counties over the course of his career on a wide variety of conservation and rural development activities. Bob is a member of the St Mary’s Catholic Church Parish in Moscow and happily married to his wife Brenda.