Board Renews Housing Authority Request, Hears About Disaster Loans, Habitat Homes

MOSCOW – In its pursuit of a local housing authority, the Moscow Fair & Affordable Housing Commission voted unanimously Thursday to resend its year-old letter requesting an authority to the Moscow City Council. 

The request will be accompanied by a note reminding the council that, as it conducts a strategic planning workshop on Oct. 14, Moscow’s need for affordable housing – and specifically addressing that via a housing authority – merits a spot in the city’s priorities.

In other business at its regular meeting, the housing commission:

* Was asked during public comment to look into Moscow’s occupancy laws for the potential to increase housing affordability. The suggestion was made by resident John Slagboom, who said he has been doing independent research into affordable housing.

* Was told about low-interest disaster loans just released by the U.S. Small Business Association for homeowners, renters, business owners and nonprofits affected by the local storms, landslides and flooding in March. Learn more at   https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/CivicSend/ViewMessage/Message/299629

* Unanimously approved spending the $125 left in its budget on stickers and bubbles for its table at the Sept. 19 downtown Moscow Farmers Market, and returning to the city whatever is not spent. 

The vote included plans to invite representatives from Habitat for Humanity and the Hills and Rivers Housing Trust to help staff the table. The setup will include posters to poll passersby about two housing questions and for children to vote on what animal they prefer. 

* Agreed to vote at its next meeting on questions to ask the Idaho Housing and Finance Association during an upcoming online conversation. The commission seeks information and education about resources for homeowners. A new homeowner down-payment assistance program is of particular interest, said Commissioner Jennifer Wallace. 

* Heard that the application period just opened for three homes to be built by Palouse Habitat for Humanity in Pullman and Uniontown, Wash. Learn more at https://palousehabitat.org/2026/08/31/87416/ and https://palousehabitat.org/apply/home-owner/

* Was told that the nonprofit Intermountain Fair Housing Council, headquartered in Boise, is looking for Moscow donors to support its efforts, especially in light of government funding cuts in the past two years. Most immediately, the council seeks support for its annual fundraising auction on Dec. 17, said Commissioner Jo Ellen Force, who serves on the IFHC board. 

Concerning its request for a housing authority, the commission agreed to include the possibility of a volunteer-run organization funded by external money like grants and donations. Evan Holmes, the City Council liaison to the commission, said getting the housing authority into the city’s strategic plan could be achieved without funding, or with a $1 budget, as a placeholder for a future time when more funds may be available. 

He reminded the commission that a housing authority can receive government money and borrow money to assist local homeowners and renters. “It can do a lot of what the City Council can do, without City Council approval,” he said.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Moscow Fair & Affordable Housing Commission will be Oct. 1.