Idaho is taking meaningful steps to address housing affordability through Senate Bill 1352, passed in 2026. The legislation removes zoning barriers that have historically made it difficult tobuild attainable starter homes in many Idaho communities. The law gives developers and builders greater flexibility to utilize land that might otherwise beconsidered nonconforming due to large minimum lot-size requirements. This can reduce the land cost allocated to each home and improve the feasibility of building homes that working families and first-time homebuyers can afford.
"Our business is people, and those people need to have a full life. It’s not just aboutwork; people have to be able to settle into this community. Nathan Armon is abrand-new homeowner. We hired him right out of college. He’s worked for us for 12 or 13 years, and it was high time he could afford a house in this environment, eventhough he’s relatively well-paid for our community. We feel a better sense of security that we’ll keep this key employee for years to come because he has a place to live."
— Intermax Solutions, Employer
One common misconception is that Senate Bill 1352 will lead to widespread tiny-home developments throughout Idaho. In reality, the legislation neither requires tiny homes normandates high-density housing. Instead, it removes regulatory barriers that can prevent viable starter-home developments from moving forward. The result is not necessarily smaller homes, but more efficient use of land —creating opportunities for modestly sized homes that are attainable for workforce families andfirst-time buyers while maintaining local health, safety, and infrastructure standards.
At Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance (PAHA), we believe homeownership remains one of the most effective pathways to financial stability, wealth building, and stronger communities. Our experience has shown that most families are not looking for tiny homes. They are looking for an attainable starter home — a place to raise a family, build equity, and put down roots. They want a small yard for their children, neighbors they know, and a realistic path to the American Dream of homeownership. The success of the Miracle on Britton community demonstrates the demand for thoughtfully designed starter homes that balance affordability, quality, and neighborhood character. SenateBill 1352 creates additional opportunities for these types of developments by enabling more efficient land use while preserving community standards. Through initiatives such as Miracle on Britton and PAHA's planned Community Land Trustprogram, we are creating a continuum of ownership opportunities that help families enter thehousing market, build equity, and move up the housing ladder while preserving affordability forfuture generations. While no single solution will solve Idaho's housing challenges, Senate Bill 1352 is an importantstep toward expanding attainable homeownership opportunities for hardworking Idaho families.
PAHA’s work doesn’t happen in isolation. Passing Senate Bill 1352 and expanding attainable homeownership across Idaho required building a coalition of organizations committed to the same goal. That’s why PAHA is proud to partner with Gem State Housing Alliance, Idaho’s first andonly pro-housing advocacy organization. Gem State works to make it easier to build more homes for Idahoans by advocating for smart policy, educating communities, and organizing partners across the state who believe housing affects every part of life. Together, PAHA and Gem State Housing Alliance are working to ensure that hardworking Idaho families — teachers, first responders, small business owners, and local employees— have a realistic path to homeownership in the communities they serve. Learn more about Gem State Housing Alliance at gemstatehousing.org
"I've been here for the past 10 years, working and trying to find a house, and it just seemed like an impossibility. Every time I would get any kind of raise or make more money or put anything away, the market would just leap away from me. Then I hear dabout the Miracle on Britton project, and it changed everything."
— Nathan Armon,Miracle on Britton Homebuyer
"I don’t want to go out of state, and we are really sick of renting and wasting our money every month."
— Sean & Desiree, Homebuyers
