Is Affordable Housing the Answer?
Homelessness cannot be solved until all members of the community have access to housing that is safe, decent, and affordable at their income level. Our area is experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis that is literally pricing people out of their homes. Learn about affordable housing and why it is the answer for both preventing and ending homelessness.
Affording Boise: Idaho Statesman series on Affording Housing in Boise.
What Is Affordable Housing?
National experts including HUD and the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) define housing as affordable when a family pays no more than 30% of their income on rent. Households spending more than 30% of their income on rent experience housing cost-burden and likely struggle to afford other necessities such as food, transportation, and healthcare. These households are at higher risk of becoming homeless.
Does Boise Need Affordable Housing?
The numbers tell a sad story about thousands of Idahoans who are priced out of housing. Some are already experiencing homelessness. Others are living insecurely in housing they can’t afford—after paying rent they can’t pay for other necessities like food, transportation, and healthcare. Boise Housing Needs Analysis 2021
How can I help?
Support the City of Boise’s proposed zoning changes that will make it easier to develop needed affordable housing. Comments on the first draft are closed, but scroll to the bottom of this page: https://www.cityofboise.org/zoning-code-rewrite to be included in future notices and hearings. Urge your federal, state, and local elected officials to dedicate funds for affordable housing development. Encourage property managers you know to accept tenants with Housing Choice Vouchers. Consider renting a room in your home to a low-income student, senior or other tenant who can’t afford an apartment.
Your voice counts! Keep our community strong by supporting the needs of all community members. Visit https://www.homelesscoalitionboise.com/current-advocacy-opportunities/ to learn more and become an advocate for affordable housing!