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ARCH to Break Ground on First BCSD Staff Affordable Housing Property
HAILEY, ID — The Blaine County School District, in collaboration with the Advocates for Real Community Housing (ARCH) Community Housing Trust, is set to begin work on the first of three staff housing developments.
Through this effort, ARCH will design, develop, construct, manage, and maintain 6-8 housing units to be rented to BCSD staff at affordable price points. The properties will be located at Bullion Street, Croy Street, and McKercher Street.
A ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for the Bullion Street development site on Wednesday, May 24 at 3:00 p.m. The site is located at 128 West Bullion St. in Hailey.
"This project is possible through a remarkable collaborative partnership that brings together the incredible generosity of our philanthropic community, the housing domain expertise of ARCH, and the approval and support of municipal officials,” said Dan Turner, BCSD Trustee. “It will deliver critical housing solutions for our teachers and staff. The district is truly grateful for all the support we have received to get these shovels in the ground."
"ARCH was thrilled to be selected as the development partner for the school district,” added Michelle Griffith, executive director for ARCH. “Our philanthropic approach to funding development gives the district complete flexibility to ensure that the homes are affordable for their staff. We would also like to thank our community of donors who have been incredibly supportive."
The lack of affordable housing in Blaine County has made it difficult for BCSD to attract and retain teachers and staff. In October 2022, the BCSD Board of Trustees approved three ground lease and development agreements to address this issue and its impact on district employees.
Units within the three developments are not intended to be long-term housing, but rather to serve as transitional housing to serve as a bridge into a more permanent solution 1-2 years later. The first of the developments to open will be at the Bullion Street location.
Since 2005, the ARCH Community Housing Trust has developed safe, permanently affordable workforce housing in Blaine County. ARCH achieves this vision through purchasing, restoring, and building properties to provide housing for local teachers, police officers, hospital technicians, firefighters, nurses, and others who serve the community.