Group fights blight with affordable homes

Pocatello neighborhoods are getting a new lease on life through a program that acquires and does away with blighted housing.

For the past 20 years, a called NeighborWorks Pocatello has been acquiring blighted or empty lots and building new, affordable homes on them.

It’s part of the Infill Housing Program. Much of the funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by way of the city of Pocatello.

“We’ve not only provided a good, affordable home for someone, but we’re helping uplift the neighborhood,” said Mark Dahlquist, director of NeighborWorks Pocatello.

Dahlquist said his group has built 150 homes throughout Pocatello.

The city of Pocatello plans to request the release of federal funding to build up to 100 more homes over the next five years.