As a member of The San Francisco Fed’s Community Advisory Council, REDI’s CEO Teresa McKnight, attended the CAC quarterly meeting to discuss how households, businesses, and regions across the Twelfth District are navigating current economic pressures. Housing affordability came forward as a key factor shaping economic stability and workforce strength across many areas in the West, including Eastern Idaho.
Key points highlighted by the council included:
• A widening gap between income and cost of living. Even with moderating inflation, essential expenses continue to rise faster than wages for many households.
• Rising housing costs across all segments of the housing market. Alternative housing options are not yet scaled to meet demand.
• Barriers that slow affordable housing development. Reduced labor availability tied to declining immigration, higher material costs, zoning constraints, local resistance, and policy changes add pressure to an already tight housing supply.
These trends influence workforce attraction and retention, household financial stability, and long-term economic health in Eastern Idaho. Monitoring regional and national signals helps local leaders better understand the broader forces shaping growth and economic performance.
Read the full fall meeting summary here: https://sffed.us/4iDTkVr