Bart Cochran – Residential Real Estate – Power List

Bart Cochran leads with his heart in his role as the founder and CEO of LEAP Housing. After graduating college with a finance degree from the University of Idaho, he recognized that many people were not able to access housing due to resources, barriers or limited supply. He set out to do something to change that, working to provide safe and affordable housing for everyone in Idaho.

Today, under his leadership and creative ingenuity, Cochran has created housing opportunities that span the spectrum of need, including programs that offer temporary housing. This year, he and his team worked to complete the first phase of Caritas Commons, the first home ownership project in the LEAP Housing Trust. He works closely with donors and other people in the philanthropic community who are aligned with his vision and help bridge the gap to make each project possible. Looking ahead, the company is considering a strategic plan that aims to create 1,000 affordable housing opportunities by 2026.

“At the end of the day, my hope for Idaho is that all households that choose to call this place home will have an opportunity to secure safe affordable housing,” Cochran said. “If I can leverage my know-how to help others navigate that process to achieve their goal, I consider that a success. If my ‘influence’ could land within the community, it would be the hope that all Idahoans will see themselves as a piece of that puzzle we’re trying to solve.”