During a recent government meeting, Kiki Miller from Portland was commended for her exceptional efforts in addressing affordable housing challenges. Miller has been instrumental in securing resources and funding, and has developed a comprehensive solutions toolkit available on the city’s website, aimed at assisting residents in finding affordable housing options.

Among the initiatives discussed was a feasibility study for a homestay program in collaboration with the University of Idaho. This program is designed to provide educational and healthcare workers with affordable housing by allowing them to live with local families, potentially subsidized to ease costs. This initiative aims to support students attending North Idaho College (NIC) by making housing more accessible.

The meeting also highlighted upcoming workshops, including development agreement workshops scheduled for October 15, immediately following the Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) training. Participants were encouraged to attend and engage in discussions about local development agreements.

Additionally, a joint planning workshop is set for November 7, focusing on improving communication among city planners, who expressed a desire for better collaboration. The planners noted that there has been a lack of interaction among them, and this workshop represents a crucial first step toward fostering open dialogue.

Local jurisdictions are also being invited to present on partnership services and toolkit resources, with opportunities for presentations to the city council.

In lighter moments, the meeting included acknowledgments of community events, such as an employee gathering, and a brief mention of local sports, with the Lakeland Hawks football team currently boasting a 2-0 record.