Idaho must build affordable housing and preserve public land | Opinion
Our most cherished memories of living in Idaho are seeing the majestic Teton Mountains from Island Park, snowshoeing through the incredible Craters of the Moon, swimming in Payette and Priest Lake, and fishing and rafting the Salmon River. These public lands are accessible to all of us, no matter where we come from or how much money we make. So long as we can get there, these lands are for us.
But now the Trump administration is trying to sell off our public lands under the ruse of providing “affordable housing.” Idahoans and all Americans who value our public mountains, forests, rivers and streams must stand up to protect our public lands and real affordable housing initiatives.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner’s recent announcement does nothing to help us address the housing issues facing Idaho or our country.
Over 80% of the U.S. population lives in the eastern half of the country, but the proposal is aimed at the West, and in particular the Rocky Mountain region where we enjoy some of the most stunning and wildlife-rich landscapes in the world. Idaho is over 61% national public land, but is home to less than 1% of the country’s population. We have ample room to build housing for the future, especially in the Boise area, where a third of the state’s total population lives.
According to recent polling, 82% of Idahoans say we don’t need to sell off our treasured public lands to create space for more housing. And that’s not a surprise.
Public lands are not only defining to us as Idahoans, but they are also a major reason people visit our state, helping bolster local economies.
Outdoor recreation contributed $3.9 billion in economic activity to Idaho’s economy in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. That included 37,478 jobs, providing $1.8 billion in compensation.
That’s lasting, durable economic development that benefits us all. So politicians and billionaires bent on taking this away shouldn’t be surprised when we stand up and fight for our public lands.
If President Trump and Secretary Turner are interested in providing affordable, accessible housing for the working class, then why would the administration cut a $1 billion program that helps preserve affordable housing, threatening projects that keep tens of thousands of units livable for low-income Americans? Or stall millions of dollars in federal housing subsidies? Lewiston, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello could be some of the cities that are hardest hit by cuts to affordable housing creation and preservation.
Most of the federal lands at stake are not suitable for affordable housing because they lack infrastructure, are too far away from employment and services, are too costly to get to and from, especially for people who need affordable, accessible housing, and are too costly or impossible to insure. We should be investing in infill development and increasing housing density in already-developed areas instead — solutions that are more cost-effective, sustainable and aligned with where people actually live and work.
Many voters were hoping for real housing solutions, but it appears that this administration has other plans with this blatant attempt to seize our lands to preserve them for the ultra-wealthy. According to a new report from the Center of American Progress, the proposals would likely lead to luxury housing for the rich, granting them access to private ski resorts, trout streams and hunting properties. Beyond that, selling lands could lead to the public losing control of water rights and other resources, making all of us pay more to the oligarchs.
We’re grateful that Rep. Simpson finally signed on to the Keep Public Lands in Public Hands Act. We’ll be letting the rest of our Congressional delegation know that we’re not going to stand by and watch affordable housing be defunded while our cherished national public lands are sold off.
We hope all Idahoans raise their voices.