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.
Scroll down to find your representatives’ phone numbers and email links!
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 Asset Building Network (IABN)
- National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
- National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)
- Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC)
- National Homelessness Law Center (NHLC)
2026 LOCAL/STATE ADVOCACY:
The 2026 Idaho Legislature kicked off on 12 January. Key Issues we expect to see that will impact our community are as follows:
- Budget shortfall — which is expected to be addressed by budget cuts. Id. Education News reports estimates for a $40 million shortfall in the current budget year, and a projected $555 million gap in the budget year beginning July 1.
- Medicaid Expansion repeal — Gov. Little has indicated he will not support a repeal of the voter endorsed Medicaid Expansion, but this effort is certain.
- Medicaid cuts to reimbursement, and restriction of access due to procedures, work requirements, and reimbursement rates.
These issues directly affect many Idahoans’ ability to afford housing.
Your input is important! Below are links and resources you can use to follow and participate in your state government processes:
Refresher on Legislative Process: Idaho Legislative session 101 guidebook (compliments of The Idaho Capital Sun)
Idaho Voices for Children Legislative Update (weekly throughout the session):
Every other Friday from January 16th to March 27th
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Idaho Legislative Home Page: https://legislature.idaho.gov/
JFAC — Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (responsible for balancing the budget and making critical decisions) is a combination of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. You can watch these hearings, and communicate with committee members, but they do not hear testimony. Here is their webpage (agendas posted here):
https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/joint/jfac
Standing Committees (selected for decisions associated with our community) and 2026 chairpersons:
Idaho Senate — key committees: https://legislature.idaho.gov/committees/senatecommittees/
- Finance: Chair C. Scott Grow – SGrow@senate.idaho.gov
- Health & Welfare: Chair Julie VanOrden – JVanOrden@senate.idaho.gov
- Local Government & Taxation: Chair Doug Ricks – DRicks@senate.idaho.gov
- State Affairs: Chair Jim Guthrie – JGuthrie@senate.idaho.gov
Idaho House of Representatives — key committees: https://legislature.idaho.gov/committees/housecommittees/
- Appropriations: Chair Josh Tanner – JTanner@house.idaho.gov
- Health & Welfare: Chair John Vander Woude – JVanderWoude@house.idaho.gov
- Local Government: Chair Barbara Ehardt – BEhardt@house.idaho.gov
- State Affairs: Chair Brent Crane – BCrane@house.idaho.gov
- Ways & Means: Chair Jeff Ehlers – JEhlers@house.idaho.gov
FEDERAL ADVOCACY:
There are fast-moving changes at the national level—and finding focus as advocates is increasingly difficult. We encourage you to sign up for action alerts with NAEH and NLIHC to stay informed.
Help 37,000 Children Stayed Housed
Public comment period ends April 21st
Public comment period ends April 21st
On February 20, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published proposed changes that would require families with mixed immigration statuses (mixed-status families) in certain HUD programs to choose between remaining together and losing their housing. In 2025, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) estimated that such changes could result in 80,000 people, including 37,000 children, losing their rental assistance.The proposed rule has a 60-day public comment period, with comments due April 21, 2026. The Keep Families Together campaign has launched to oppose HUD’s proposal.
Here’s how you can help:
- Learn more about HUD’s proposed rule change HERE (NLIHC article)
- Take action HERE (Keep Families Together campaign)
Oppose Federal Funding for Homeless Detention Camps
The Governor of Utah is ramping up efforts to divert housing funds towards building a massive, remote detention camp for homeless people in his state, with more than half of the proposed 1,300-bed facility designated for forced treatment.
Advocates from around the country are coming together to demand the federal government fund real solutions to homelessness, like housing and support, and reject the use of arrests, tickets, or jails for people who cannot afford rent – not in Utah and not anywhere.
What you can do: Learn more, stay informed, and defend real solutions that work.
- Read more on Utah News Dispatch
- Read ACLU press release (1/29/26)
- Watch video of campaign launch: No Federal Funds for Homeless Detention Camps
- Contact your reps HERE (Housing Not Handcuffs)
Proposed HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Program policy changes place 170,000 housed people at risk of returning to homelessness.
The Homeless Coalition was created over 30 years ago to be a voice for vulnerable members of our community. We urge you to stay informed and speak up about proposed policy shifts that experts predict will force housed people back into homelessness.
The 2025 HUD NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) issued on Nov. 13th is currently subject to a Preliminary Injunction that temporarily pauses its implementation. The NOFO shifts priorities from permanent housing to transitional housing, a strategy that has proven to be less effective in reducing homelessness. The new policy requires communities to reallocate a large portion of their HUD CoC funding from permanent housing programs to transitional housing.
Housing experts predict that if this new strategy is implemented, 170,000 currently housed people could quickly face eviction. Please use the links below to learn more. We will post updates as they occur.
- Jan. 13 update from Ann Oliva at NAEH
- Urban Institute: Evidence Shows Permanent Supportive Housing Helps People Exit Homelessness. A Proposed Funding Change Would Cut Those Programs.
- NAEH: State-by-state estimates of the funding and beds at risk
Expansion of ACA subsidies for health insurance: Unaffordable health insurance limits people’s access to necessary healthcare, which can quickly impact their ability to work and pay rent. The U.S. Senate is set to negotiate and vote on an extension of ACA health insurance subsidies after a bi-partisan effort in the House that passed a three year extension. This extension would help stabilize mid- and low-income families and ensure they have access to the healthcare they need.
More information HERE
Advocacy Action: Urge Senators Crapo and Risch to vote for an extension of the ACA subsidies (at least until a better program can be implemented). Scroll down on this page for their contact information.
Budget cuts to HUD staff and housing programs: Congress is currently determining how much money to spend on important federal housing programs that support families and prevent homelessness.
Advocacy Action: Urge the U.S. Senate to adopt the THUD proposal (instead of House version) for an additional 3.3 Billion in funds. Without it, 1100 Idaho residents can lose housing. Use IABN’s Action Form for links and talking points.
Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA): This bill has bi-partisan support and is currently in the SENATE (a similar bill was previously introduced in the House). It would expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and help build 1.6 million affordable homes over a decade.
Read/Track the bill HERE
Sample message:
Support the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act and a proven solution for building more affordable homes. This bill will strengthen the opportunities for development and extend LIHTC, build more homes, and infuse our communities with the skilled jobs that come with development.
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is a win:win for Idaho’s residents and our communities.
Thank you for supporting and voting yes on the AHCIA.
Voting Rights: Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, S. 128 / H.R. 22: This bill is currently in the SENATE and requires proof of citizenship to vote (something that is already required) and additional documentation, often not possessed by many. It also creates additional barriers to voting that will have disproportionate impact on women and marginalized citizens.
For more information: Nonprofit VOTE
Read/track the bill HERE
Sample message:
Please reject S. 128. It creates unnecessary barriers to voting that disproportionately impact women (who may have married and changed their names), native peoples, first-time voters, and those least likely to have access to birth records or passports, and those in rural areas or without readily available transportation.
This is a bill that is not only unnecessary to protect our voting process but creates difficult and artificial barriers for citizen voters.
Thank you for voting NO on S. 128.
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 Homelessness Law Center: See past webinars on current issues, including the criminalization of homelessness. Archived. No Charge or membership required. https://homelesslaw.org/resources/webinars/
National Low Income Housing Coalition: Housing Needs by State
National Coalition for the Homeless: 10 Point Plan for Ending Homelessness in your City, County or State