September 9, 2019

Dear Chairwoman Macker, Mayor Muldoon, County Commissioners and Town Councilors,

Early childhood education has a tremendous impact on the well-being of a community and its residents.

There is certainly no shortage of studies to show that investments made early on pay off in significant dividends throughout one’s life. Whether prenatal, postnatal, or early childhood education – every dollar invested has shown returns of anywhere from $4 – $12 for each $1 spent.

These same studies often show not only the financial benefits to a community but much more importantly, the benefits to the individual child and family unit. These benefits can be life-changing.

Especially in Teton County, access to affordable, reliable early childhood education can be the difference in improving a family’s socioeconomic status. Enrolling in childcare can open the door to parents being able to take career goals further, expanding their skills, knowledge and income.

Studies have shown that mothers of children who were enrolled in childcare, on average, could expect $133,000 in additional earnings over their lifetime.

For the child, a secure place to learn and explore can offer a child a wide variety of learning and social opportunities that will magnify throughout their lives.

On par with housing, childcare is an essential need in our community. Some families are faced with difficult decisions every day in Teton County of whether a parent can return to work or afford childcare.

An inventory of all childcare providers, waitlist numbers, etc. will serve to educate our community as well as provide a baseline of what we need and how to achieve goals of affordable, reliable childcare.

We support moving forward with this inventory and know this vital information will provide the foundation for the next steps on this critical issue.

Thank you for your leadership on this issue for Teton County families, children and our community.

Sincerely,

Jackson Hole Working

July 22, 2019

Dear Chairwoman Macker, Mayor Muldoon, Teton County Commissioners and Town
Councilors,

Thank you for considering updating some of the Housing Rules & Regulations that
were adopted last summer. It has been slightly over a year since they were adopted,
and keeping these rules and regulations evolving with additional data and
consideration is crucial for housing in our community.

We fully support keeping the requirement that homeowners should occupy their
affordable and workforce restricted homes at a minimum of 10 months per year. This
requirement aligns with the community goals of housing people who live and work in
Teton County. Members of the workforce, who live locally, are more likely to be
engaged in community activity; volunteer their time; raise families, and contribute to
the fabric of community life. 10 out of 12 months a year provides a reasonable
framework and still allows for the homeowner or renter the flexibility of being away 60
days a year.

The minimum occupancy requirement is an interesting policy and one that probably
should remain flexible given how the demographics of those applying for housing
changes from project to project and year to year. Our community goal is to house more
people, so applicants that meet 1 or 2 adults plus at least one dependent should get a
weighted application for a 2-bedroom unit. Couples should be allowed to enter lotteries
for 2-bedroom units with the caveat that families that can immediately fill all bedrooms
will get priority.

One-bedroom unit inventory is low for the number of individuals and couples applying
for units that come available. The weighted drawing for adults plus dependents will
ensure that more bedrooms are being occupied and not empty, while still providing
housing opportunities for couples in Teton County.

Reliable, affordable childcare is essential for a community, family, and workforce. Early
childcare is a growing need in our community, and several places are wrestling with
how to keep teachers, many of whom live in Victor/Driggs and Alpine. Last winter, with
its multiple road closures, proved that not only our TCSD teachers but also our early
childhood teachers need access to affordable housing in Teton County.

Early childhood caretakers and teachers should be added to the definition of “teacher”
under the Housing Rules and Regulations. This identification is a critical step to
recognize their importance in our community and to the invaluable service they provide
to families and the individual child.

Thank you again for taking up these policy questions for discussion, and we hope that
you will continue to work towards a variety of housing solutions for Teton County.

Sincerely,
Jackson Hole Working

Letter to Town Council dated March 17, 2017:

Dear Jackson Town Council,

Thank you for your continued work on behalf of the town and our community. We recognize that there are many challenges in front of you, particularly in regards to meeting housing and transportation needs, and we appreciate your vision and commitment to finding solutions.

Jackson Hole Working (JHW) is committed to supporting policies and projects that meet the goals of the Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan, including housing 65 percent of our workforce locally.

As you know, this community has been discussing the need for workforce housing for decades; long before the Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan was adopted, during the comp plan process and long after. The truth is that in order to make real strides in housing our workforce locally, we need tools and policies in place to support 100% private sector rentals being built and financed.

We applaud the Town Council and County Commission for their vision and leadership in placing housing projects on the SPET ballot, but we need ALL options on the table when it comes to meeting our workforce housing needs.

JHW respectfully asks for your support this Monday, March 20, 2017 on the Text Amendment on Affordable Housing Standards to Exempt Apartments.

If we are going to make large strides in meeting our workforce housing needs, our community needs the private sector engaged in solving perhaps our valley’s greatest challenge. By eliminating road blocks and streamlining the process, we open the door to private sector solutions that benefit our community members most in need of stable, rental workforce housing.

We understand the concerns that have been voiced about deed restrictions guaranteeing those apartments are rented by the workforce; however, JHW supports the notion and idea that apartment buildings, like Blair Place, are inherently workforce rentals. By including restrictions to this text amendment that apply to apartment buildings of ten units or more, and whose rooms do not exceed maximum habitable floor area as established in the Housing Department Rules and Regulations, we feel confident that these units will be almost solely rented by the workforce.

JHW supports public, public-private and private sector workforce housing solutions that will help Teton County reach our ultimate goal of housing 65 percent of our workforce locally.

We would like to thank the Town Council for approving the exemption of interior corridors from the calculation of FAR in apartment buildings of 10 units or more. JHW supports these types of creative initiatives that will help continue to remove barriers of getting housing on the ground.

We hope to continue to work together to bring housing solutions to Teton County. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Mark Barron, High Country Linen Service

John Carney, Carney Logan Burke Architects

Kelly Lockhart, Lockhart Cattle Co.

Ted Staryk, Snake River Brewery

Jackson Hole Working Board of Directors