QWHIP Purpose:
Encourages the construction of deed-restricted Workforce Housing Units (WHUs) by offering development incentives.

What Developers Receive:

• Density bonuses
• Height increases
• Lot coverage increases
• Fee/mitigation waivers

What Developers Provide:

• Permanently deed-restricted workforce housing
• Units targeted to households working in Teton County, ID or Alta, WY
• WHUs phased and integrated into the project

Why the Program Exists:

• Supports local employers
• Reduces workforce commuting
• Ensures long-term affordability in Teton Valley

Additional Information & Resources

• City of Driggs Land Development Code
• City of Driggs Comprehensive Plan
• Zoning Map
• Land Use Info & Applications

Download the QWHIP for Developers brochure

Applicability

QWHIP applies to the following types of development:

• Full plat subdivisions
• Short plat subdivisions
• Annexations and zone changes
• Townhomes
• Condominiums
• Site Development Permits

A Workforce Housing Plan is required with any application requesting QWHIP incentives.

Program Purpose

QWHIP supports the creation of workforce housing by offering the following incentives:

• Density bonuses above base zoning
• Height increases
• Lot coverage increases
• Fee and mitigation waivers
• Payment-in-lieu options
• A predictable administrative process

These incentives are available to qualifying developments that include deed-restricted Workforce Housing Units (WHUs).

Workforce Housing Requirements

Projects must provide workforce housing equal to either:

• 15% of total units, or
• 20% of bonus units

Unit Standards

Workforce Housing Units must:

• Be deed-restricted for a minimum of 30 years
• Be phased proportionally with market-rate units
• Match the quality, exterior design, and amenities of market units
• May be smaller, provided they meet defined minimum sizes

Income Targets

• Rental units: Affordable at 80% AMI
• Ownership units: Affordable at 120% AMI

Development Incentives

1. Density Bonuses

Each zone has an established base density. Any units above that number are considered bonus units.
Bonus units are permitted when a project provides the required deed-restricted workforce housing.

2. Additional Incentives Available in All Zones

• +10% lot coverage increase (maximum 90%)
• Impact fee waivers for deed-restricted units
• Water rights mitigation waivers for deed-restricted units
• Payment-in-Lieu Option
• Updated annually using HUD data and construction cost gap
• Paid into the City’s Workforce Housing Fund

Administrative Requirements

Workforce Housing Plan - Required with any application requesting QWHIP incentives

The Plan must include:

• Total number of units
• Number of bonus units
• Number and type of deed-restricted Workforce Housing Units
• Income targets (rental or ownership)
• Management and compliance method

Approval Process

1. Planning & Zoning Commission
   Reviews the application and issues a recommendation to City Council.
2. City Council
   Makes the final decision on the request.
3. Recordation
   Approved deed restrictions must be recorded with the Teton County Clerk before the project receives final authorization.

If you live or work in Teton Valley, Idaho or Alta, Wyoming, you may qualify for these homes.

What is Qualified Workforce Housing?
These homes are reserved for local workers and kept affordable through a deed restriction that limits resale price or rent. They are built alongside market-rate homes with the same general quality and design.

Who Can Qualify?
You may qualify if:

• You work for, or are retired from, a qualified employer in Teton Valley, Idaho or Alta, Wyoming, or you are unable to work due to disability
• Your household income fits within the program guidelines - based on HUD AMI numbers, updated annually
  Rental units: income does not exceed 80% AMI
  Ownership units: income does not exceed 120% AMI
• The home will be your primary residence

Public Service Employee preference
The City of Driggs and Teton Valley Housing recognize that there is a severe lack of housing for public service employees in Teton Valley, which ultimately harms the entire community. In order to help address this issue, preference for QWHIP units will be given to anyone whose employer pays into the Public Employment Retirement System of Idaho, such as schools, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and municipalities.

Verification required for income, employment, and household eligibility.

To read more about eligibility requirements or to apply for Qualified Workforce Housing visit the Joint Teton County Housing Authority

For questions, please contact the City of Driggs Planning & Building Department , call 208-354-2362 or email housing@driggsidaho.org

Download the QWHIP for Community brochure