Geri Wopschall
Published in the High Desert Advocate March 14, & 21, 2019.
Philosopher Camus wrote “Always go too far, because that’s where you will find the truth.”
Committee members present – Brad Simpson, Kenna Almberg, Donna Bath, Mike Wheable, Nathan Robinson and Caroline McIntosh
Purpose and Goals of the Housing Meeting
Nathan Robertson- We have big developments coming into this area, NDOT, the County has some big building projects coming up, New Mines opening up, the prison needing new employees . We need the County, City, land owner, Developers and anyone who has a stake in this to give ideas and suggestions in how we can accomplish new affordable housing.
We need to know what roadblocks we face and what financing is available.
( Introduction was done around the room and quite a few contractors, developers and concerned citizens were introduced.)
State of the Local Housing Market
Kenna Almberg- records from the County Assessor’s office indicates that the majority of houses sold were under $100,000. This indicates that we do not have a huge market for high-priced homes. The average sales price for a home is $128,667.
From 2018 to 2019 the number of houses on the market have dropped from 80 to 56.
The monthly supply of houses on the market went from 11.4% down to 5.8%.
Currently today, we have 32 listed under $100,000, 19 between $100,000 & $200,000, 5 homes between $200,000 and $300,000 and only 3 home for over $300,000. This does not give much choice for people walking in the door to purchase a home.
We have had clients who chose not to move here because of the inadequate housing.
One of our lenders put out information that has our population in White Pine County at 9720. Out of that they estimate that 2,350 of these are renters and 592 can afford to purchase a home.
It is estimated that potential home buyers ages 27 to 35, there are 250 of those in White Pine County it is estimated that we need 95 homes to fill the needs and only four homes were actually built this year.
Review of Possible Options and Ideas Presented by the Housing Committee.
Brad Simpson – in one of the meetings someone brought up the point, if we’re going to have all this new construction coming, “Where are the houses for them? “ We have talked to the Commissioners about donating County Land. The problem we have with the City of Ely a lot of our lots are 25 by 100 feet. We need code changes and variances for people to build on these small Lots.
NDOT is coming in here and I’m looking for homes for the workers to rent, there are none.
The KOA is filling up with miners in fifth wheels. We don’t have a lot of moderate income housing.
We are trying to stimulate conversation and ideas as to how we can get more affordable, moderate income houses built.
I talked to contractors in Elko and they’re mostly building foundations for modular homes.
Nathan Robertson- the committee has talk about having tiny homes, repossessing homes on the tax rolls, bringing someone in to do a large family complex. We talked about many things but all the talking we do isn’t going to amount to much without advice and suggestions from people on the ground.
Possible Incentive Options Offered by White Pine County.
Mike Wheable – “ Hi my name is Mike Wheable and I am a renter. I found the inventory of homes under $100,000 is small or they need a lot of work. There is a lot of need for different types of homes because of the number of families sizes that lived here.”
We have maps of properties that could be developed there are maps on the wall and you’re welcome to look at them and talk to the owners of the property. ( There were 10 maps on the wall.) The law allows the County to dispose of property just like that for economical development. The procedure is to get a single appraisal and then the County passes the resolution saying it’s in the best interest of the community. And it is in the best interest of the community because you’re putting more property on the tax rolls and you’re providing safe nice places for the community to live. Our community does want to grow, but if someone comes into town and sees run-down homes, they will say well, I can get a job up at Twin, let’s go. I can present to the Commissioners any contractor’s plan, so the contractor can make a profit. You come to me and I will put it on the agenda, so we can practically give this property way, with the caveat that it will be developed within a year. The finance director is here to make sure I don’t just give property away, but I will if it improves our community.
It’s the County Commissioner’s decision, but it’s a no-brainer, we need homes for our community.
You may ask how can I afford this as a small contractor, go talk to Mary Kerner, we do have groups in this town who will help with the financing.
Wheable promised to work with any contractor on any possibilities with the County to improve property and provide homes.
The hospital is considering building homes for their traveling doctors, they’re really unique modular type Townhomes.
Possible Incentives Offered by the City of Ely.
Kevin Robison from Mount Wheeler states that no matter where Mount Wheeler goes the prices are always the same.
There were questions about if we build a house and it sits there for months, where is the profit? Can any of the fees be waived? How do we do the infrastructure, it is very expensive and hookup fees are out of line?
These are all things that need to be negotiated with the County and the City. We are looking to build houses in the$120,000 to $150,000 range, this price range will sell.
If you have any suggestions please, state them here or contact any member of the board.
( I ran into the same problems as Mike Wheable when I looked for a new home in Ely. I had to decide which house I wanted to repair. Luckily with the help from my family and my ability to redo a house has come in very handy. My realtor was really getting tired of me not liking what was presented to me.)
