Boise’s building rules matter for housing and the environment. They have the same fix | Opinion

Over the last several years, many environmental advocacy groups have begun talking about housing in the same breath they talk about water, air quality and our open spaces. Conservation Voters for Idaho invested significantly in building support for the Boise Modern Zoning Code because of how the updated code would positively impact the city’s environment.

We came to the same conclusion environmentalists across the country are coming to: Housing policy is climate policy.

We know Idahoans care about clean air, open space and abundant water. After all, our natural environment is part of what makes this state a great place to live. But high housing prices have made affording to live here out of reach for many families. During this municipal election, we have an opportunity to recognize how connected housing affordability and our environment really are — and make changes that benefit our climate and housing future.

So, what are the connections between climate change and housing?

To start, transportation makes up almost half of the city’s climate pollution. On-road vehicle transportation exacerbates poor air quality in the Treasure Valley.

Yet reducing emissions from transportation is uniquely challenging because many people don’t have reliable transportation outside of their cars. Across the Treasure Valley, the rising cost of housing and sprawling development patterns are pushing people to live farther away from the places they need to go every day.

The resulting sprawl not only creates more traffic hassles but also encroaches on open space, wildlife habitat and our farmers, stretches our already scarce water resources, and pushes development closer out into our agricultural lands.

To reduce transportation pollution and protect our environment, we need to give people more affordable housing options nearer to jobs, schools, grocery stores, parks, transit stations, and other places they need to go. Boiseans won’t be able to reach its climate goals unless we start taking big steps in this direction.

The good news is, after years of outreach and stakeholder engagement, the Boise Modern Zoning Code passed earlier this year. It is the first step toward a more sustainably planned city that will help us tackle the affordable housing crisis, all while bringing major benefits for our air, land, water, and communities.

There have been a lot of concerns that the sustainability and affordability provision in the new zoning ordinance was not enough, but by incentivizing in-fill, we are able to keep sprawl in check and create more affordable homes near already existing resources.

Key to solving this problem starts in the blueprints of our city and state. The housing crisis — as well as the changing climate and air pollution — is impacting too many Idahoans in too many different communities. It’s time for more local leaders to lead the way and give people transportation options, ease the crushing financial stress of high housing costs, and ensure people can remain stably housed in the communities they call home.

I’m excited that Conservation Voters for Idaho has taken a stand to support these issues and the candidates who are pushing sound policy forward. Together, we can move Idaho toward a future with vibrant, affordable communities and a healthy environment.