Bleak future without affordable housing

Wyoming faces a crisis that threatens its communities and economy: a severe shortage of affordable housing. Across the state, from urban hubs like Cheyenne and Casper to rural counties like Johnson County, the rising cost of housing is displacing the very workers who sustain essential services. Teachers, nurses, administrators, service workers, and first responders are being priced out, leaving Wyoming’s future hanging in the balance.

Tourism, a $55 million industry in Johnson County, offers a stark example of what’s at stake. Without affordable housing, the workforce that powers this vital sector — and others — cannot survive. In Buffalo, median home values now exceed $400,000, while rents average $880 per month. These prices are out of reach for many residents in a county where the median income is just $60,667. The problem is not isolated to Johnson County but reflects a statewide trend where wages fail to keep up with soaring housing costs.

Wyoming spends more than $75 million annually on employment, economic development and commerce. Yet, without prioritizing affordable housing, these investments are in jeopardy. The state should consider reallocating large portions of this budget to directly address the housing crisis. No amount of traditional economic development will succeed if the workforce cannot afford to live in the communities where jobs are created.

The solution requires bold and comprehensive action. Affordable housing advocates have identified a promising tool: expanding tax increment financing (TIF) to include affordable housing as an eligible urban renewal project. This legislative proposal, headed for the 2025 session, would enable municipalities and developer to use future property tax revenues to fund critical infrastructure for housing developments. The legislature should pass this measure as one essential tool in the toolbox to address the crisis.

While incremental measures — such as reducing permitting fees or adjusting development regulations — are helpful, they alone cannot solve the problem. These steps save only a fraction of what is needed to significantly reduce housing costs or incentivize large-scale development. The state and our county must invest heavily in affordable housing solutions, including funding infrastructure, incentivizing private developers and even supporting nonprofit housing projects to address this pressing issue.

Affordable housing is not just a local issue; it is a matter of state policy and economic survival. The legislature must act decisively by redirecting resources, passing TIF legislation and committing to a long-term strategy. Further, the state must consider allowing counties to pass optional taxes to support affordable housing. Buffalo, Kaycee and Johnson County should actively advocate for and lobby the legislature for these changes. Our future depends on it.