Boise could add affordable housing on old Bench Fred Meyer site

The City of Boise hopes to to make another land purchase for affordable housing.

On Tuesday, the Boise City Council approved the purchase of four undeveloped parcels in the corner of the Hillcrest Shopping Center on Overland Road for $2.475 million. If the city finalizes the sale, it will one of several the city purchased for its upcoming affordable housing land trust.

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The city has 90 days to evaluate all aspects of the property before the sale is final.

Development of the site would be completed through a public-private partnership determined through a request for proposals process. If the project moves ahead, the city’s Energize Our Neighborhood’s Program would complete public outreach to plan for the specifications.

The parcels are located at 1520 Phillippi Street in the corner of the shopping center, the site of a former Fred Meyer store, torn down a decade ago.

The shopping center also includes the Hillcrest branch of the Boise Public Library, and an Albertsons. It is down the hill from an intersection with two bus routes. The idea of changing the zoning so housing could be built inside the commercial shopping center on the undeveloped lot was floated by former Bieter administration staff in 2018 as part of the “Grow Our Housing” plan. Aside from a few passing mentions in city council meetings, no concrete action on the concept moved ahead until now.

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Boise’s land purchases also include $1.8 million for the 4.7 acres on the corner of Franklin Road and Orchard Street in 2019, which is set for roughly 210 units of affordable housing ranging from one to three-bedroom units. Earlier this summer, the city also purchased a roughly one-acre parcel at the intersection of Arthur and State streets for $765,000. This is the former site of long-standing barbecue restaurant Smokey Davis.

How is affordable housing defined?

Affordable housing refers to housing set aside specifically for residents making at or below income levels set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Based on area median income, family size, and rents in the area, the agency sets rent levels for affordable housing projects with the goal of housing costs not exceeding 30% of household income. 

Housing affordability is relative for everyone depending on their circumstances, but there are legal definitions of what qualifies as affordable housing and how it has to operate in government.