Pocatello officials back rezoning, incentives to spur infill, NeighborWorks eyes 48 affordable senior units

Planning staff outlined the draft Pocatello Housing Plan, which calls for increased housing supply and diversity to meet demand for smaller, affordable units for students, workers and seniors.

"We need higher‑density infill and multifamily development," Planning Director Brent McClain said, noting the city’s housing stock is aging and the region is producing fewer units than peer communities. Long‑range planner Jim Anglesey said vacancy rates are low, median single‑family values near $335,000 are pushing affordability pressures, and household sizes are shrinking—factors that point to demand for one‑ and two‑bedroom units.

NeighborWorks Pocatello presented a complementary proposal to use a 19‑acre city parcel near Sacajawea Park for phased affordable housing. "Phase 1 will be 24 units of senior housing, and then phase 2 will be another 24 units," NeighborWorks CFO Shauna Ingen said, describing a plan that would pair a long‑term (99‑year) low‑cost lease of city land with leverageable financing (including a Federal Home Loan Bank loan application). Staff said the lease would count as a community contribution to strengthen a LIHTC application due in August.

Council members asked about zoning changes, market studies, and long‑term affordability requirements. Planning staff said Title 17 (zoning) revisions and incentive packages will be used to enable higher density and that LIHTC projects typically must meet affordability covenants (often 30 years or more) even after the tax‑credit compliance period ends.

NeighborWorks and city planning will return with appraisal and rezoning work if the council agrees to proceed; staff indicated they plan to bring formal requests for a lease and zoning changes before the council in July.