RE: Housing Rules and Regulations Update

Dear Jackson Town Councilors and Teton County Commissioners,

ShelterJH appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed 2024 Housing Rules and Regulations updates. Our mission is to advocate for housing policies that promote equitable access and sustainable housing solutions for all members of our community. 

Without additional comment, we support proposed changes #1, #2, #4, and #9. We offer the following input on specific sections of the proposed changes:

Support #3  

We support the addition of a new income range (120%-160%) to the Affordable Housing Program. Expanding income thresholds can help ensure that middle-income households, who often find themselves priced out of market-rate housing, can access affordable options. This expansion aligns with our belief that housing opportunities should reflect the financial diversity within our community.

Against #10  

We do not support creating any additional barriers for locals to access deed-restricted housing. We recommend that an initial application to complete the Intake Form should not require a fee, as upfront costs may pose financial barriers to households in need of assistance in a process that is already challenging, time consuming, and daunting.

Support #12-14 

We recognize the importance of enforcing fair regulations to maintain a transparent and equitable housing environment. ShelterJH supports the proposed penalties for violations, which include a five-year ban for falsifying an application (Section 12) and permanent bans for eviction from rental units or forced sales (Sections 13-14). These penalties are necessary to preserve the integrity of the program and ensure this limited resource is being deployed to those who need it most.

Support #15 

Our team supports the staff recommendation that Housing Preservation Program funds remain available only for existing units, not new developments. This approach ensures that current housing units continue to provide long-term affordability. For future projects, we support the development of a separate funding structure specifically aimed at supporting new affordable housing developments.

ShelterJH is committed to supporting policies that make Teton County a more accessible and inclusive place to live. Thank you for considering these comments as you work to finalize the 2024 Housing Rules and Regulations updates.

Sincerely,

Clare Stumpf 

on behalf of the ShelterJH Board of Directors