Ketchum

Ketchum turns to local option tax to help raise money for affordable housing.

There’s something called the “1% for Air” local option tax, which traditionally funds air service and tourism efforts. But Ketchum officials would like to ask voters to split that LOT in half, with .5% still going to promote air travel, but earmarking the other .5% for affordable housing projects.

The organizations have been working to move people from unsafe housing situations, sometimes without heat and running water, to hotel rooms, where the families would pay a portion of the cost. But, they knew those rooms would be occupied intermittently over the course of the winter ski season.

Blaine County organizations raised the alarm this fall about an uptick in people sleeping outside. Purchasing the transitional housing units is one short-term solution the city thinks could help people get out of the cold.

Ketchum officials said the $50,000 contract with NeuroMediation Group LLC — the cost of which was split by the city and Blaine County — could help about 90 households avoid displacement or hardships that come along with eviction proceedings.

The Wood River Valley has a long, rich history with Peruvians. In particular, they share a love for sheepherding. So, it was no surprise to see, post pandemic, a new stream of Peruvian families to the Sun Valley region. But something is very different this year.

The development standards seek to increase density in certain districts and to prevent the loss of housing units when buildings are torn down and re-constructed.

Several Idaho cities are trying to address an increasing number of short-term rentals amid affordable housing challenges, while complying with a 2017 state law prohibiting most regulations on the rentals like Airbnbs.

Sun Valley Resort wants to make some upgrades to its equipment and terrain, making it the focus of a Forest Service open house on Tuesday.

Representatives from Idaho Fish and Game and Clear Creek Disposal presented options to the Ketchum City Council Monday for how to keep bears and people safe.