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Gilliam County to pursue housing study as renewable-energy projects ramp up
Summary
The county agreed to contact Pioneer CDC about managing a countywide housing study (ballpark cost discussed at up to $100,000) to support future state/federal grant applications and to analyze workforce and temporary housing options tied to local construction and energy projects.
Gilliam County Court on March 18 directed staff to contact Pioneer CDC to explore managing a countywide housing study and to return recommendations for possible funding and scope.
Members cited prior regional examples (Morrow County's 2017 study) and emphasized that a housing study is often a requirement for state or federal grant applications. Commissioners discussed an estimated study cost in the neighborhood of $100,000 (a ballpark figure discussed during a prior meeting), and the court discussed whether costs should be shared with cities and other partners.
Several members stressed the near-term need for temporary workforce housing to serve anticipated construction projects, including renewable-energy developments such as Saddle Butte. The court discussed statutory options for temporary RV parks or worker accommodations tied to renewable-energy conditional-use permits and heard that the county code does not explicitly allow RV parks but that inclusion in a conditional-use permit could permit temporary worker housing.
The court reached consensus to reach out to Pioneer CDC (which had submitted a letter of support) to determine if the organization would manage the study and to bring a proposal back for a future meeting. The item was placed on the April 1 agenda for follow-up.
