State housing report: Wyoming faces wide affordability gaps and shrinking low‑income rental stock, WCDA says

Scott Hoversland, executive director of the Wyoming Community Development Authority, presented preliminary findings from a statewide housing‑needs assessment to the Workforce Development Council.

WCDA’s analysis shows a pronounced affordability gap for households earning about $25,000 or less in many counties; Hoversland cited shortfalls measured in the hundreds to thousands of units for lower‑income households in several counties. He also highlighted an affordability mismatch in which units that would be affordable to lower‑income households are occupied by higher‑income renters.

Hoversland said rising home values and higher mortgage rates have widened the gap between what households can afford and market prices. He described several paths for addressing the shortage — from manufactured housing and community land trusts to a potential statewide housing trust fund — and said WCDA plans to finalize the assessment and then develop a statewide housing strategic plan for legislative consideration.

WCDA also applied for HUD funding to support local planning and expects decisions on that national competitive grant later in the spring. Hoversland urged local governments, developers and state partners to contribute data and ideas for solutions tailored to county conditions.

Next steps: WCDA will publish the full needs assessment on its website and work with a statewide housing coalition to develop a strategic plan and funding options ahead of future legislative sessions.