Sellers : Blaine County Housing Authority Assisting with Affordable Housing in Blaine County Idaho

Developers

BCOHA Guidelines

Net Minimum Square Footage for Community Housing Units

BCHA encourages Developers to work collaboratively with BCHA in creating innovative solutions benefiting the developer and the community. BCHA may agree to reduce the minimum net livable square foot requirements if the developer demonstrates benefits such as design for livability, common storage, or that the development compensates for smaller unit sizes by providing a greater overall square footage of Community Housing. For example, suppose the developer of a condominium project is required by ordinance to provide one Community Housing unit. With an average size of 2,000 square feet for its market-rate units, the developer may suggest providing two 700 foot one-bedroom units and one 400 foot studio unit, rather than providing one 2,000 foot Community Housing unit. Although somewhat less total footage is provided, BCHA may perceive the proposed unit mix better serves the current need for Community Housing. The smaller unit configurations may also allow the developer to better utilize his site and/or provide a better ratio of sale price to construction cost. BCHA may also adjust minimum unit sizes to reflect considerations specific to that business such as a large seasonal or short-term labor force. The decision to allow trade-offs is at the sole discretion of the BCHA and may be subject to final approval by the municipal governing body.

Generally, units are not accepted as Community Housing that do not meet these size minimums. Developers may choose to construct larger units, but allowable rental and sales prices cannot exceed the rates outlined in Part IV, Section 2 and 3 of the Guidelines. “Net Livable Square Footage” is essentially a “drywall to drywall” measurement and not a measurement from exterior wall to exterior wall. Regardless of unit type or income category, all bedrooms have a minimum interior dimension of 9’ 6” and a minimum interior square footage of 105 square feet. Closets have a minimum width of 4’ 6” and a minimum depth of 2’. Developers are encouraged to design spaces exceeding these minimums. Refer to the BCHA Guidelines for details on minimum net livable square footage for different affordable housing unit types.

Net Livable Square Footage calculations are required for the Community Housing component of a project and must be verified by the appropriate Building Department prior to issuing building permits for either the market-rate or Community Housing components of the project. The Building and Zoning Department retains a set of approved building permit drawings for the project. BCHA may also check construction activities for compliance with the approved building permit plans.

Can a Developer provide off-site Community Housing?

If a municipality allows developers to provide Community Housing at a location other than within the proposed development, then BCHA recommends the municipality to require Community Housing at 150% of the amount that would have been required on-site. This increase in the amount of housing is considered reasonable compensation for the loss in social value by failing to integrate Community Housing in the proposed project.

Can Community Housing units be grouped together?

Generally, BCHA prefers that Community Housing is integrated into the market rate units within any given development. This means that Community Housing units should be spread among various floors and at various orientations. However, BCHA recognizes that developers need to see a financial return on their development efforts. Therefore, it is not BCHA’s policy to require Community Housing units on top (penthouse) type floors of multifamily buildings or on building orientations providing exceptional views that the developer could yield a significant financial return on.

In projects containing primarily time-share or fractional-ownership units, the BCHA may allow some grouping of units to foster a sense of community among the full time (Community Housing) residents. Some grouping of Community Housing may be allowed for single-family plats, provided that such grouping furthers the objectives of the BCHA (as determined by BCHA).

What is the maximum sales price for Community Housing units?

Generally, the Maximum Sales Prices for newly Deed Restricted Community Housing units vary according to the income limits for that year and maximum “monthly housing costs”. Maximum Sales Prices are also adjusted to reflect the area where housing is constructed. Monthly housing costs include the following monthly payments:

• Principal and Interest payment on 1st mortgage
• Escrow payment of taxes and insurance
• Land lease payments
• Homeowners/condominium association fees

The maximum monthly housing costs for an affordable for-sale unit cannot exceed 30% of the homeowner’s income in the first year. The table below outlines the maximum monthly housing cost for Community Housing units based on the incomes detailed in Table 2 of the Guidelines.

The maximum sales price can be back-calculated after calculation of the maximum monthly housing costs for a particular unit type. Ultimately, the maximum home prices will be set by the BKHA on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the target market, land lease expenses, special financing, and any other factors affecting a future homeowner’s monthly housing cost burden. Developers may also estimate sales prices using an excel spreadsheet distributed by BCHA. To receive a copy, email the request to jfackrell@bcoha.org.

What is the Community Housing In-Lieu payment option?

Depending on City and/or County land use, zoning codes, and ordinances, a developer may satisfy the Community Housing requirement via payment of a Community Housing dedication fee (in-lieu payment option). The in-lieu payment option must be paid prior to issuing the Certificate of Occupancy for any unit in the development. BCHA and the appropriate governing body determine whether or not to accept the in-lieu payment on a case-by-case basis. The in-lieu payment is based on recent homes sales prices and is updated on an annual basis. Contact BCHA for more information on the in-lieu payment option.

Blaine County Housing Authority
400 S. Main St. Ste 303 | PO Box 550 Hailey, ID 83333 | Toll Free: (800) 990-6102 | Tel: (208) 788-6102 | Fax: (208) 788-6136