Wyoming groups build toward workforce-attainable housing project in Laramie
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Laramie, Wyoming is short on affordable housing but a new partnership aims to help.
Albany County's population grew nearly 7 percent between 2010 and 2021 and many newcomers are remote workers, according to a statewide needs assessment. Because the county is home to Laramie, the state's only bona fide college town, many homes are rentals occupied by students, adding to a housing crunch for vital workers such as teachers and nurses and the schools and hospitals working to retain them.
© iStock - Ingo Dorenberg
Todd Feezer, assistant city manager of Laramie, and others have eyed the site of the former Slade Elementary School, due to be demolished soon, for housing built under a new partnership model.
"Really, I think we've got a good team that's all pulling together," Feezer observed. "As long as that team can continue to pull together, we should be able to see some success in this, hopefully within the next year to 18 months."
He noted the school district is appraising the property to see what is possible. Feezer pointed out the public-private partnership taking on the project includes the City of Laramie, Albany County School District, Laramie Chamber Business Alliance, Ivinson Hospital and WyoTech.
The exact mechanics of the project are still in the works but Feezer stressed he hopes to add 34 workforce-attainable housing units to the mix.
"We're excited for the interest in our project," Feezer emphasized. "This isn't the solution but this is a start for us to try to create solutions to the housing issue here in Laramie."
According to the statewide needs assessment, Wyoming in 2030 will need between 21,000 and 39,000 more units than it had in 2021 to cover housing needs.
