During a recent government meeting, Darren Watkins from the Spokane Association of Realtors highlighted significant challenges facing the local housing market, emphasizing Spokane County's alarming ranking as the second highest in the nation for home price increases. This surge is attributed to a critical shortage of housing supply, which has led to increased competition with neighboring Kootenai County, Idaho, where new home construction is thriving.

Watkins pointed out that the influx of residents commuting from Idaho has resulted in a dramatic rise in traffic on Interstate 90, with daily vehicle counts soaring from 32,000 to over 100,000. This increase not only exacerbates congestion but also poses a serious threat to air quality, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

The housing crisis is further underscored by a study indicating that Spokane County has a deficit of approximately 28,000 homes, making it one of the worst counties in Washington for housing availability per family. Watkins urged local officials to prioritize homeownership and mixed-use community developments to address these pressing needs, noting that the lack of housing is a primary driver of homelessness in the area.

Mayor Cooper and other officials discussed the implications of recent language changes in local regulations, expressing concerns that altering \"should\" to \"may\" could undermine community engagement and compliance with state laws. The conversation highlighted the need for flexibility in addressing the diverse needs of smaller cities compared to larger urban areas.

As the meeting concluded, officials acknowledged the importance of community involvement in shaping housing policies and the necessity of addressing the ongoing housing crisis to ensure the region's growth and sustainability.