Teton Habitat for Humanity moves forward on affordable housing neighborhood

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI)– A new affordable housing development planned at the South Park area of Jackson could bring hundreds of homes to a community where housing costs have made it difficult for local workers to live near their jobs.

Teton Habitat for Humanity is pressing forward on construction of a proposed 17-block neighborhood known as Northern South Park Area 1, which is expected to include 386 affordable residential units.

"Some people are driving multiple hours a day to get to Jackson to work here. So we're trying to make it an affordable place and to live, and that's what Habitat does, create housing to reduce the commute for the individuals that live and work here," said Ben Johnson, CEO of Habitat For Humanity of The Greater Teton Area.

The development plan follows roughly six years of work to secure approvals to rezone the agricultural land for a new neighborhood.

Johnson said about 70% of the land has been donated and is expected to be dedicated to affordable housing.

"Habitat for Humanity is going to be a recipient of that land, so we can be doing good for this community," Johnson said.

Construction is still several years away. Johnson estimates it could take three to four years before crews begin building, as the project moves through regulatory approvals, permitting and infrastructure preparation.