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McCall council authorizes ground lease to advance Leap Housing workforce apartments
Summary
The council approved a ground lease allowing Leap Housing to pursue low-income housing tax credits and entitlements for a roughly 30–40 unit workforce apartment project on city-owned campus land; the lease includes a local preference and a two-year funding contingency.
McCall — The McCall City Council on June 18 authorized a ground lease that will allow Leap Housing to apply for federal low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) and begin entitlement work for a workforce housing apartment project on surplus city campus land.
Bree Sack, the city’s housing program manager, told the council the Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) awarded the project a 30% basis boost, which Sack said “came back really quickly” and improves the project’s financial feasibility. Sack said the lease establishes an income target tied to 60% of area median income and includes a local preference so local workers and residents are prioritized in tenant selection.
The lease itself does not authorize construction; Sack emphasized the agreement is a step that authorizes Leap Housing to pursue LIHTC funding and continue through the city’s entitlement process. The lease contains a two-year contingency clause: if Leap cannot secure financing or progress through title requirements within that period, the lease would terminate and the parcel could be repurposed.
Council members discussed project scale and tenant targeting. Sack said the design is expected to be “between 30 and 40” units and that the development will be “apartment, forever rentals,” not condominiums. Council members also noted previous local experience filling deed-restricted units with local workers.
Councilmember Giles moved and the council voted unanimously to approve the ground lease and authorize the mayor to sign the necessary documents. The motion carried on a roll-call vote recorded as yes from Council member Giles, Council member Mathezic, Mayor Nelson, and Council member Nelson.
Next steps: Leap Housing may now finalize proposals to support the LIHTC application and proceed with required city entitlements and design work; the city will receive updates as the project advances.
