By Sen. Mike Crapo | Originally published at crapo.senate.gov
Unfortunately, for far too many Idahoans, the dream of homeownership has been beyond reach, as the gap between the demand for affordable homes and the supply has widened. I recently had the opportunity to welcome U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner to Idaho to take part in discussions with local housing stakeholders and visit innovative, public-private housing approaches, as we work to fix the housing affordability problem.
During Secretary Turner’s visit, we went to 2nd South Market in Twin Falls, Idaho’s first completed Opportunity Zone (OZ) project. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) makes permanent the expanded OZ program, especially focusing on spurring investment in rural areas. We also toured a Self Help Housing project in Buhl, an innovative affordable housing program that has built over 100 homes across the Magic Valley since its inception. Additionally, we participated in a roundtable discussion on affordable housing at the Idaho Statehouse and visited the grand opening of the Wilson Street Station Development Project in Boise. This project was made possible through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and other HUD programs. The OBBBA permanently expands the LIHTC, encouraging the development and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing.
Following the roundtable, I shared a preliminary summary of the results of my 2025 Housing Survey. The Survey was conducted from March 31, 2025, to May 31, 2025, and garnered more than 5,000 responses from Idahoans. The summary captures the most common themes shared by Idaho homeowners and renters, which account for 90.1 percent of the total respondents. Ongoing affordability issues, such as wages not keeping up with costs; low housing supply not keeping up with demand; and market pressures, like high interest rates, are among the most pressing concerns Idahoans reflected in their responses. While Idahoans share many frustrations, the survey further highlighted differences in specific challenges and desired solutions–reflecting a vital need for a careful, targeted and collaborative policy approach.
Together, we can continue to advance sound housing policies that will help make the American Dream of homeownership more attainable. The OBBBA I helped author as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, and which President Trump signed into law on July 4, included several provisions to help achieve this dream. In addition to the previously mentioned permanent expansion of the OZ and LIHTC programs, the OBBBA also includes provisions:
- Making permanent the 2017 Trump tax cuts so that more Americans can keep more of their hard earned money;
- Increasing the take-home pay for an average Idaho family by an estimated $7,200 to $10,200; and
- Making permanent the New Markets Tax Credit to spur investment, job creation and economic growth in emerging areas.
Also, in July, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, of which I am a senior Member, unanimously passed the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act, a comprehensive, legislative package to reduce regulatory barriers to new and affordable housing. Two of the policies I championed in the package include eliminating the requirement for manufactured houses to have a fixed steel chassis, allowing manufacturers to innovate and reduce costs; and the Housing Supply Frameworks Act that would direct HUD to develop model zoning reforms that could be voluntarily adopted by state and local governments to reduce costly barriers to constructing new housing.
Moving forward, I will be sharing more findings from the Housing Survey as I continue to work with Idahoans, Secretary Turner, others in the Trump Administration and my colleagues in Congress to advance collaborative, achievable solutions to improving housing affordability in Idaho and across the nation. I thank Idahoans who are working to advance solutions to one of the most pervasive issues affecting our great State.
Secretary Turner, and 2nd South Market owners Dave and Lisa Buddecke
About Mike Crapo
Senator Mike Crapo has represented Idaho in the Senate since 1999, following three terms in the U.S. House and eight years in the Idaho State Senate. A lifelong Idahoan, he currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
