Boise aims to provide affordable housing opportunities to all its residents, regardless of age, national origin, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, familial status, or disability. The city offers emergency rental assistance to support low-income families and individuals to prevent eviction and homelessness.
If you are currently looking for emergency rental assistance for Idaho housing, Wave Property Management has what you need. Read on, and we'll help you understand your options.
Rental Assistance Options in Idaho
Emergency Rental Assistance
Jesse Tree is a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance for Idaho housing needs. Tenants will be provided with a one-time, one-month rent payment if they’re at risk of being evicted from their rental housing. To be eligible, you must have already received an eviction notice from your landlord or be summoned to court.
Utility Assistance
Boise's Salvation Army offers assistance in paying utility bills like electricity and gas. Their resource, called Project Share, can be availed by tenants in Ada County once a year. To acquire financial assistance, there are eligibility requirements you should meet, such as:
- Being an Idaho Power customer
- Earns a certain income that qualifies for assistance
- Has an Idaho Power account
- Utilities are in the household member's name
El Ada Veterans Assistance is also an option for utility assistance, particularly for veteran families. To qualify, the veteran must have an eligible discharge status, the household's income should not exceed 80% of the area median, and the veteran must reside in permanent housing.
Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance, Household Goods
St. Vincent De Paul also assists people close to experiencing homelessness in various ways, such as visiting the individual's home to determine the best way to support them in maintaining stable housing. The organization indirectly helps with rental assistance by helping with grocery budgets through food pantries. To ask for help, you can fill out an Ada County helpline form on their website.
Utility and Food Assistance
Like the organizations mentioned above, the Department of Health and Welfare also offers home heating and utility assistance. While they can provide financial aid and improve living conditions, certain income and residency requirements must be met.
- Heating Assistance: The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income families pay for portions of the bill for heating during the winter months
- Home Weatherization Assistance: The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps eligible low-income families conserve energy, save money, and improve living conditions by repairing or replacing heat sources, installing insulation, weather stripping, and more.
Housing Assistance
Catch launched a community initiative called the "Campaign to End Family Homelessness," which aims to end family homelessness in Ada County by 2026. The initiative provides financial aid for affordable housing and individualized support services to help keep families in housing for the long term.
SICHA, or Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Housing Authority, also offers rental housing assistance to qualified low-income families in Idaho. Proudly providing equal opportunity, their programs include Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), and Project-based vouchers.
Food and Financial Assistance
Find Help Idaho uses various programs for food and rental assistance. For food, you can look into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
For financial assistance, you may also be eligible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TAFI) and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Furthermore, there are resources for emergency rental assistance such as the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), providing affordable housing opportunities, and the Housing Information and Referral Center (HIRC), which offers Idaho housing information.
Other Options You Can Explore
Search for Income-Restricted Housing
There are many options for affordable rental housing in Ada County with income restrictions, which are perfect for renters with lower incomes. Researching online can provide you with the information you need, but you can also ask local housing authorities to provide you with a list of eligible properties.
Shared Housing
Co-living arrangements can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in urban areas like Boise. Ideally, you can do so with people you know. You can discuss how you split the bills for groceries, utilities, rent, and other costs you have to pay.
National Government Assistance Programs
Many government and nonprofit organizations in Ada County can already help you with your housing needs. You can also explore national government assistance, such as the Manufactured Housing Program (OMPH) and Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Negotiate with Landlords
You might be able to negotiate rental rates with landlords if you have a good rental history. Be sure to be polite and respectful when discussing terms. Being rude will only hurt your chances of getting affordable housing opportunities.
Rental Assistance FAQs
How do I qualify for rental assistance?
Programs tend to vary in requirements, so you should research thoroughly. More often than not, it will involve your income and place of residence. Know your rights to avoid being assessed based on age, national origin, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, familial status, or disability.
How much rental assistance can I receive?
That depends on the kind of aid you're getting. Some come in the form of financial assistance for housing, where part or all of your rent will be covered. Other programs help you find affordable housing opportunities or provide food supplies to reduce costs.
How soon can I get my funds?
It can take weeks to months, depending on the waitlist and the process of the particular program you applied to. Some emergency rental assistance can be sent out faster due to the urgency of the need.
Finding the Right Home for You
Searching for a place to set down roots can be hard on a limited budget. Wave Property Management has a price range filter to help you find affordable housing in Boise faster. We have extensive listings of quality homes, and we're sure you'll find the best place.
We offer equal opportunities for all prospective tenants. Looking for the right place for you? Contact us and we can help.
