MOSCOW — A new affordable housing project could be on the way for Moscow.
A developer has proposed building 92 affordable apartment units on a 10-acre site at Warbonnet Drive. The rentals would be targeted at households earning 30% to 80% of the area median income.
Alisa Anderson, Moscow grants manager, spoke about the project during the Moscow Administration Committee meeting Monday.
Moscow city staff are prepared to apply for an Idaho Community Development Block Grant on behalf of the developer to help fund the project if given City Council approval. The maximum grant award would be $500,000. The city would contribute a 10% match.
According to Monday’s meeting materials, the apartment building would have a mix of apartments with one, two or three rooms. Community amenities will include raised garden beds, a BBQ area, a playground and open green space.
Moscow City Administrator Bill Belknap said the developer is still willing to pursue the project despite complications with federal requirements.
Anderson said that if the developer is awarded the grant, it would have to follow the rules of the Build America, Buy America Act. This act would require the builders to purchase American-made construction materials for the entire apartment project, which could drive up costs.
With City Council approval, Moscow staff will still submit an application in November if the developer wants to pursue it.
The Idaho Community Development Block Grant has helped fund multiple projects in Moscow. However, the city may not be eligible to receive those funds for community-wide projects in the future.
