Sheridan County commissioners authorize letter backing Habitat for Humanity bid to expand AMI eligibility

Sheridan County commissioners voted to authorize the chairman to sign a letter supporting Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Bighorns’ request that Habitat for Humanity International reconsider restrictions on area median income eligibility.

County staff told commissioners the local housing land trust currently uses AMI ranges of 60%–80% and that Habitat is seeking higher eligibility—up to about 120% of AMI—so more households could qualify. The request was presented as a nonbinding letter of support to be sent to the national organization; staff said the county received the draft quickly after a request from Habitat and posted related materials for review.

During public comment, a resident identified as Vicky urged the county to pause and not send the letter, saying local Habitat leadership ‘‘knew about this for about a year’’ and expressing concern about the land trust’s direction. Vicky asked the board to withhold support while questions about compliance and oversight remain.

Commissioners debated policy and legal context. One commissioner cited a county finding from a November 2022 housing agreement and referenced Wyoming statute language as framing the county’s obligation to ensure availability of safe, sanitary and affordable housing. Other commissioners said the county is losing young professionals who cannot afford to stay and that expanding AMI eligibility could help retain teachers, firefighters and police officers. Several commissioners described the measure as a preliminary, supportive step that would simply request reconsideration at the national level rather than change local rules.

A commissioner moved to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the letter of support; the chair seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. The board did not adopt any ordinance or amendment to the county land‑trust rules at the meeting; the authorized letter will be sent to Habitat for Humanity International and any subsequent changes to local agreements would come later if national reconsideration prompts contract amendments.

What happens next: County staff will transmit the letter of support and notify commissioners of any response from Habitat for Humanity International. If national policy or local contract language changes are proposed, those would return to the board for formal consideration.

Provenance: Topic first raised in the meeting agenda and staff presentation (SEG 396) and debated through the motion and vote (SEG 661).