Get the Coalition’s Action Alerts!
Throughout the year, as important opportunities arise to contact representatives at any level of government, or to reach out to the public, the Homeless Coalition emails action alerts to members and to everyone one our email list. Sign up to receive time-critical information about proposed legislation and policy issues. Most action alerts include links to easily submit input to your representatives or addresses for your Letters to the Editor. See the Sign-Up Form in the Sidebar to the right.
Advocacy Opportunities:
Stay informed and act quickly. With changes happening so rapidly now (especially at the Federal level), we urge you to sign up for Action Alerts from these organizations:
- Idaho: Idaho Asset Building Network
- National: National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
- National: National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)
2025 Local/State Advocacy:
Issues currently in play in the Idaho legislature that impact lower income populations:
SB1141– Idaho’s own version of a Camping Ban—a state-issued mandate for cities and localities to manage homelessness through enforcement of a ban on “camping” (resting, sitting with pillows, blankets, personal items or having them present in your car or RV). Committee testimony included endorsement by a representative of the Cicero Institute, Idaho Freedom Foundation, and Boise Rescue Mission. The Coalition opposes this bill as not only the wrong solution, but one that leaves us all (taxpayers and the unhoused) in worse condition. It also preempts cities’ ability to assess, respond and manage their own unique resources, rules, and strategies.
Current Status: Delivered to Governor’s desk for signature (after passing both Senate and House of Representatives)
Email: Governor Brad Little and ask to veto bill as counterproductive to solving our housing and homelessness issues
Email Link: https://gov.idaho.gov/contact/contact-us/
Idaho Land Use Resolution 103—Passed both houses and has been handed off to the Secretary of State. Hooray!
Sen. Ali Rabe introduced this Resolution — It proposed a committee to study the land use regulations in Idaho that inhibit housing affordability and remove barriers to building new housing.
Federal Advocacy:
There are even more proceedings at the national level—and finding focus as advocates will be increasingly difficult. We encourage you to sign up for action alerts with NAEH and NLIHC to stay informed.
Here are issues we are following / Urge our congressmen to do any of the following:
Your Representative–Release authorized HUD funding to ensure that FY2024 homeless funding is promptly distributed to our communities. (These funds cover services, such as rent checks and staff. Their disruption will impact the housing and safety of thousands of Idaho residents.)
Sample message: The results of HUD awards and the people in the communities you represent – who depend on uninterrupted homelessness services – should be protected from politics that might suspend or disrupt this life-saving funding. Please urge HUD to ensure FY2024 homelessness funding is expeditiously disbursed to grantees and that the results of the two-year, 2024-2025 homelessness funding competition are not overturned by politics.
All Congressional delegates: Protect our Medicaid programs and the vulnerable residents of Idaho.
Sample message: Health Insurance and Medicaid improve both health outcomes and housing stability for people who are housing insecure. Healthy residents maintain their jobs, can pay their rents, and are able to go to school. Cutting Medicaid funding will increase homelessness in our communities.
Thank you for advising if you will support our current Medicaid program.
Both Senators/Your Representative: Protect HUD Staffing and Programs
Sample message: Affordable and sustainable housing has been an ongoing problem for low-income renters in all of Idaho’s counties. Protect HUD from efforts to reduce staff and weaken housing and homelessness programs critical to Idaho and our communities. Among their essential programs are funds to help low-income families afford their homes, to improve infrastructure and services in our rural communities, ensure utility payments for heat in winter, staff shelters, and to help new home buyers make critical repairs. At the very least, we must protect these programs while ongoing evaluations are underway.
Here are ways to connect and leave your message:
- Call the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 (and ask for whichever senator or representative you want)
- Call the local offices:
Sen. James Risch: Phone: 208-342-7985 (Boise office)
Sen. Mike Crapo: Phone: 208-334-1776 (Boise office)
Rep. Mike Simpson: Phone: 208-334-1953 (Boise office) Must choose based on your address
Rep. Russ Fulcher: Phone: (208) 888-3188 (Meridian office) Must choose based on your address
- Write emails from their websites:
Sen. James Risch: https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email
Sen. Mike Crapo: https://www.crapo.senate.gov/contact/email-me
Rep. Mike Simpson: https://simpson.house.gov/forms/writeyourrep/
Rep. Russ Fulcher: https://fulcher.house.gov/email-me
- Use the NAEH Action Alert Pages: This will use your address to automatically connect with proper congressional delegate: https://endhomelessness.org/help-end-homelessness/take-action/
- Your organization can sign on to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s national letter. Access it HERE
Education Resources:
National Call on HoUSed: Universal, Stable, Affordable Housing— The National Low Income Housing Coalition presents a bi-weekly National Call on their HoUSed: program Universal, Stable, Affordable Housing.
It is informative re. advocacy strategy, national policy and responses throughout the country. There is no charge:
Date: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
Time: 2pm MT
Location: Virtual
Cost: no charge (but registration required)
Register HERE
2025 NLIHC Housing Policy Forum:
Date: 24-27 March 2025 (Capitol Hill Day: 27 March)
Location: Virtual only (In person is sold out)
Cost: $200 for Virtual registration
Register HERE
National Homelessness Law Center–See past webinars on current issues, including the criminalization of homelessness.
Archived.
No Charge or membership required
Weblink: https://homelesslaw.org/resources/webinars/