Klamath County commissioners weigh housing feasibility study to attract multifamily investment

Klamath County commissioners discussed funding and scope for a rental housing feasibility study intended to help Klamath Community College and the county attract outside investment for market-rate multifamily housing.

A commissioner said the lack of local market data has been a barrier to attracting investors and noted that no market-rate multifamily housing has been built in the county since the 1970s. Board members suggested coordinating with existing county planning work — including a housing study already funded by the county — instead of commissioning separate out-of-town consultants.

Commissioners and staff discussed the possibility of sharing study results with the City of Klamath Falls and other partners to support broader housing recruitment. A commissioner asked staff to connect KCC with the county planning department to determine whether the existing county study can be broadened to include the college's needs.

The board did not take a final vote on contracting for the feasibility study during the meeting; members requested more information about scope, cost and overlap with prior work (members referenced a Portland State University analysis and other studies that may not align with the proposed scope).