Farmway Village Officially Joins Caldwell: What This Means for Idaho’s Housing Future
- Sarah Breck
- Oct 21
- 3 min read
By Sarah Breck | Boise & Caldwell Real Estate
A Historic Community Enters a New Chapter
A nearly century-old community has just made history in Caldwell. Farmway Village, once built under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, is now officially part of the City of Caldwell after a recent annexation vote by the city council.
This move does more than shift boundary lines — it opens the door for expansion, revitalization, and long-awaited housing opportunities for Caldwell families and agricultural workers.
As Caldwell Housing Authority Executive Director and council member Mike Dittenber explained, this annexation is “a recognition of the people who work hard in our agricultural industry and in our workforce housing... and bringing them back into the city that they were never really a part of but spent all their time and money in.”
What the Annexation Means
The annexation officially brings about 1,100 residents into city limits — a number that can rise to 1,400 during the agricultural season. Farmway Village, managed by the Caldwell Housing Authority, has served as a cornerstone of local workforce housing for decades.
Now that the community is part of the city, it gains access to Caldwell’s zoning framework and infrastructure support. This means the Housing Authority can finally move forward with its master plan for expansion — one that’s been years in the making.
The Plan for Expansion
Under the updated city zoning, the Housing Authority will:
Add 72 new apartment units
Create 220 new RV sites over the next two decades
This thoughtful growth plan aims to meet increasing demand for affordable housing while maintaining Farmway’s family-oriented, community-driven character.
As Dittenber shared, “Now that we are in the city and we are zoned appropriately, we now know that our master plan can be completed in accordance with the city's rules and regulations.”
The Human Side of the Story
Beyond the policy and planning, this is a deeply human story.
Resident Jocelynn Silva, who has lived at Farmway for ten years, calls the community “safe, affordable, and family-friendly.” She’s seen firsthand how many people are still waiting for a chance to move in.
“I know there are people that constantly come in here and ask if there are houses available, and I’ll let them know there’s a waitlist,” she said. “So knowing that we’re now part of the city and will be able to expand feels good.”
Another resident, Janet Owsley, waited three years on that waitlist before moving in. “It’s a community — a very big community. A family. People need places to go, and I think it’s awesome that they’re expanding.”
A Strategic Move for Caldwell’s Growth
This annexation isn’t just about Farmway Village — it’s part of a larger urban renewal strategy for Caldwell. The property now falls within the city’s Urban Renewal District, designed to encourage investment in undervalued areas and create pathways for sustainable development.
Dittenber called it “a smart, strategic decision” — not only because it enables Farmway’s growth, but because it allows other nearby properties to develop as well.
“The only way for these properties to be developed is if they are annexed into the city,” he said. “It’s necessary that the Caldwell Housing Authority be annexed before any of these other properties around us can be developed.”
In short: Farmway Village just unlocked the potential for an entire area of Caldwell to grow.
A Legacy of Resilience
Farmway Village has been a part of Idaho’s housing story since the 1930s. Originally known as the Caldwell Labor Camp, it was built under Roosevelt’s New Deal to house families displaced during the Great Depression.
The Caldwell Housing Authority took over in the 1940s and has maintained the property ever since. Nearly 90 years later, the mission remains the same: provide safe, affordable housing for working families who form the backbone of the local economy.
Why It Matters for Caldwell and Beyond
For Caldwell residents, this annexation symbolizes recognition and progress. For the Treasure Valley housing market, it’s a model of how cities can expand affordability without sacrificing history or community identity.
As the region continues to grow, Farmway Village’s story serves as a reminder: housing policy isn’t just about buildings — it’s about people, opportunity, and belonging.
Thinking About Moving to Caldwell or the Boise Metro Area?
If you’re curious about how developments like this affect home values, new construction, or future investment opportunities in Caldwell, Middleton, or Nampa, I’d love to guide you through it.
Because when it comes to real estate, knowledge is power — and sometimes, it’s the key to finding your own place to belong.
Comments