Poster Session #1
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Sarah J. Halvorson
Faculty Mentor’s Department
geography
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Ski towns across the Rocky Mountain West are facing the inter-connected problems of rising housing prices and shortages of labor. These local issues have led to severe challenges associated with the lack of affordable housing. My study focuses on three key elements that contribute to the problem of affordable housing in the booming ski town of Whitefish, Montana. These elements include: (1) the geographical and historical context that makes this community similar to other ski towns in this region; (2) the economic and land use planning factors that constrain the affordable housing market; and (3) the limited sustainable solutions to this housing crisis. As part of this study, I propose a site plan to convert a city-owned parcel (known locally as “The Snow Lot”) into a multi-family use community. My site design is guided by the objectives of affordability, sustainability, practicality (e.g., meeting parking needs), and energy efficiency. I employ collaboration with the town of Whitefish and data collection through site visits and planning documents. The intention is that my site design will help the City of Whitefish expand its low-cost sustainable affordable housing solutions in the future.
Category
Social Sciences
“A Montana Ski Town and Solutions to its Persistent Housing Crisis”
UC South Ballroom
Ski towns across the Rocky Mountain West are facing the inter-connected problems of rising housing prices and shortages of labor. These local issues have led to severe challenges associated with the lack of affordable housing. My study focuses on three key elements that contribute to the problem of affordable housing in the booming ski town of Whitefish, Montana. These elements include: (1) the geographical and historical context that makes this community similar to other ski towns in this region; (2) the economic and land use planning factors that constrain the affordable housing market; and (3) the limited sustainable solutions to this housing crisis. As part of this study, I propose a site plan to convert a city-owned parcel (known locally as “The Snow Lot”) into a multi-family use community. My site design is guided by the objectives of affordability, sustainability, practicality (e.g., meeting parking needs), and energy efficiency. I employ collaboration with the town of Whitefish and data collection through site visits and planning documents. The intention is that my site design will help the City of Whitefish expand its low-cost sustainable affordable housing solutions in the future.