POST FALLS — A new housing survey reveals Post Falls residents need to earn $27 per hour just to afford rent, according to consultant Robert O'Brien, highlighting affordability challenges in this growing Idaho city.

"Post Falls has been discovered," Mayor Ron Jacobson said during a community presentation at the Q'emiln Park trailhead event center, where officials shared results from a survey of nearly 600 respondents about housing needs and barriers.

The survey revealed stark statistics: 79% of respondents identified house prices as a major issue, while 49% cited rent costs as a concern. Housing availability ranked third at 28%. Among renters, 83% reported that rent prices exceeded their budget and risked making them "housing cost-burdened" — spending 30% or more of household income on housing.

Only 49% of all respondents reported spending less than 30% of their income on housing costs, including rent, mortgage and other housing needs. Thirty percent reported spending between 30-50% of their income on housing, while 8% spent more than half their household income on housing expenses.

The survey, which included both residents and non-residents, showed mixed satisfaction with current housing: 18% said their housing doesn't meet their needs, 40% said it meets their current needs and 41% reported their housing will meet their needs for the next decade.

The presentation outlined nine strategies for addressing housing challenges, including diversifying housing options and promoting job growth to prevent Post Falls from becoming a bedroom community. However, not all residents embrace growth-oriented solutions.

"It just creates density and people just want classic neighborhoods," resident Holly Hatcher said. "It's more citified. I don't want a city, I want a small town."

The survey found that 65% of respondents believe the municipal government should help achieve housing goals, while 35% opposed government involvement.