Lindsey Love, an architect and local resident, presented a proposal to commissioners on July 28 to bring a USDA-style mutual self-help homeownership program to Victor in partnership with LEAP Housing (Boise) and local partners. The project would start on donated land at 222 West Center Street in Victor and would pair construction trades training with subsidized homeownership using USDA and CDBG resources.

Love said the site is zoned for multifamily but that infrastructure gaps — a single 2-inch water line along the street and Idaho Transportation Department requirements for a highway turn lane — create roughly $500,000–$700,000 in preliminary public-infrastructure costs. LEAP’s Bart Cochran explained that Idaho has limited state-level funding for such projects and recommended applying for state-administered Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to cover public infrastructure (streets, water/sewer, turn lanes).

City of Victor representatives said the city has some infrastructure priorities and could not lead the application. Commissioners and staff discussed whether the county would be willing to serve as the CDBG applicant; county staff said the county can apply and asked for legal and budget review before committing. Commissioners directed staff to evaluate grant-feasibility and legal considerations and to investigate potential local match sources, including local-option tax funds or recreation-district contributions.

Why it matters: If the county partners with LEAP and the city, a successful CDBG application could unlock public-infrastructure funding that would make a small owner-builder homeownership program feasible and provide local trades training. The plan includes deed-restricted homeownership intended to remain affordable to local workers.

Ending: Staff was directed to explore the CDBG application process, local matching options, and legal/budget implications and return to the commissioners with feasibility findings.