ShelterJH calls for immediate halt on big development
"We’re being forced out by rent increases," says housing advocate
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — An influential housing advocate in the valley has called for a moratorium on all new development in Jackson.
ShelterJH fired off a letter to the mayor and town council asking for “an emergency moratorium in the Town of Jackson on any new development and building permits for one year, or until the town updates its zoning standards to incentivize and regulate theAn influential housing advocate in the valley has called for a moratorium on all new development in Jackson.production of homes that locals can afford.”
The nonprofit’s founder Mary Erickson laid bare the situation, growing worse every day.
“Our housing crisis is getting worse every summer. We’re being forced out by rent increases, or when our apartments are demolished to make room for new corporate hotels and luxury condos. We’re losing homes every year,” Erickson said. “So, every year we lose more of our teachers, nurses, cooks, dishwashers, and police as they commute or move to other communities where they can afford to rent or own homes. When people commute, they lose access to our great schools, parks, and even being able to vote here. Our local businesses suffer because they can’t keep staff. And we lose the soul of our community and risk becoming just another resort.”
ShelterJH also said the town was putting itself at increasing legal risk of violating the Fair Housing Act’s disparate impact standards of discrimination. The housing advocate also challenged the town’s current zoning practices which they say are leading to an increasingly exclusive community and forcing local workers out of the valley.
“Zoning standards allow luxury condos, high-end single-family homes, and boutique hotels, but make it difficult to build multi-family affordable rentals,” ShelterJH stated in the letter.
Not only new development was targeted but redevelopment of larger commercial properties like REI and Target, where ShelterJH says opportunities are missed to create more employee housing.
“As our elected officials, your job is to protect the public health, safety and welfare of your constituents. The lack of affordable homes in our community impacts all your constituents,” ShelterJH says.
The town has not yet responded to the call for a moratorium.
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