Idaho Housing is most recognized for our programs that create a wide range of affordable housing opportunities for low- to moderate-income Idahoans. We also connect Idahoans in need with necessary services, foster strong partnerships, and inform stakeholders on key housing information, indicators, and trends.
Housing Information and Referral
Idaho Housing activated our referral service in 1998 at the request of housing consumers, providers, and advocates who needed help navigating the sometimes-complicated world of housing programs and resources. We work to provide current, accurate and practical information about housing and service options, including homeless service providers, rental assistance, first-time homebuyer options, low-cost apartments, and other resources.
Although referral staff doesn’t have funds to offer, we make every effort to locate the most appropriate service or resource for each situation. Referral services include:
Housing Referrals
Idaho Housing supports a free, bilingual call center as a courtesy to anyone offering or seeking rental housing or shelter options. Common information and referrals range from emergency shelter and transitional housing to income-based, subsidized housing or market-rate rentals across the state. Contact the call center at 1-877-428-8844 (7 a.m.-6 p.m. mountain time, Monday-Friday).
Find or List Rental Housing
Housingidaho.com, created by Idaho Housing, is a free online listing and locator service. This service lets providers list available housing resources and generate reports, and helps renters locate available housing options that best fit their individual and family needs.
The site is available 24/7 and supported by a toll-free, bilingual call center. Call 1-877-428-8844 (7 a.m. – 6 p.m. mountain time, Monday through Friday). Powerful and easy-to-use tools, property descriptions, mapping and mobile features make searching easy.
Housingidaho.com also features a rent calculator, resource directory, and other helpful tools to plan your next move, explore household budgeting and moving costs, and avoid scams.
Housing Assistance Guide
The Housing Assistance Guide addresses frequently asked questions and provides a quick overview of essential housing and shelter strategies for Idaho. It is available in the following languages:
Download your Housing Assistance Guide by clicking on the version you need.
Additional Resource Options
2-1-1 Careline
Idaho’s 2-1-1 Care Line is hosted by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, is a statewide information and referral service for a variety of health and human services available in your community.
Idaho Legal Aid Services
Idaho Legal Aid is a statewide nonprofit law firm dedicated to providing equal access to justice for low-income people through quality advocacy and education, including renter education and representation.
Community Action Partnerships
Each of Idaho’s regions is served by local Community Action Partnerships that provide information and resources ranging from food pantries, energy assistance, and weatherization to affordable rentals and emergency assistance.
Homelessness Assistance
As the administrator of the majority of federal homelessness dollars in Idaho, IHFA works with many housing and service providers to ensure a collaborative and intentional homelessness response. People experiencing homelessness and in search of services can access Idaho Housing’s Homelessness Assistance page to locate the nearest Homeless Connect access point.
Housing Roundtables
The resulting dialogue enhances cooperation and collaboration among housing professionals and other stakeholders that represent each of Idaho’s key regions. Meetings take place in five Idaho regions once a year. The Housing Roundtable initiative is nationally recognized for its administrative and program innovation, which helps housing stakeholders identify challenges and opportunities, reduce duplication, celebrate success and make the best use of limited resources.
For those interested in learning more about, or participating in, the Housing Roundtable meetings, contact Heidi Sellick at heidis@ihfa.org
Upcoming Housing Roundtable Meetings
Southern Idaho
Date: Fall 2023
- Treasure Valley
October 30 | 10 a.m. – Noon
Location: TBD
Past Housing Roundtable Meetings
Pocatello & Twin Falls
Date: Fall 2023
Handouts:
- Fall 2023 RT Handouts
- Meeting Summary – Fall 2023
- Request copies of the 2022 homelessness report and other print materials here
Moscow & Coeur d’Alene
Date: Spring 2023
Handouts:
- Spring 2023 RT Handouts
- Meeting Summary – Spring 2023
- Request copies of the 2022 homelessness report and other print materials here
Pocatello, Twin Falls, and Treasure Valley
Date: Fall 2022
Handouts:
Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene
Date: Spring 2022
Handouts:
Please send questions or suggested discussion topics for future Housing Roundtable meetings to Heidi Sellick at heidis@ihfa.org.
Conference on Housing and Economic Development
For the latest conference information go to 2022 conference.
Partners and Planning
National
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Federal Highway Administration
- USDA Rural Development
- Department of Veteran Affairs
- National Council of State Housing Agencies
- National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
- Partners for Rural America
Regional
- Pacific Northwest Regional Council (PNRC)
- Northwest Community Development Institute
- Philanthropy Northwest
- Western Community Assessment Network
- Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute
- Northwest ADA Center
Statewide
- Idaho Department of Commerce
- Idaho Department of Labor
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Idaho Department of Education
- Idaho Department of Corrections
- Association of Idaho Cities
- Idaho Association of Counties
- Idaho Rural Partnership
- Idaho Chapter, American Planning Association
- Ramp Up Idaho
- State Independent Living Council
NW Community Development Institute
Housing professionals know that developing quality housing to meet the diverse needs and incomes of all residents requires support from community leaders and residents. We also know effective communication and trust are essential to building healthy and positive relationships. That’s why Idaho Housing began a partnership in 2003 with the Northwest Community Development Institute, where we present an annual course entitled Housing as a Second Language that furthers three important goals:
- Understanding the challenges, needs, interests, and language familiar to local government officials, community and economic developers and land-use planners.
- Clarifying housing market dynamics and showing how stable, affordable housing leads to individual and community health, strong economies and less demand on public services.
- Building relationships and credibility among civic leaders and local government professionals.
Better communication means more effective coordination among all parties. Putting housing on the radar of local policymakers and planners helps reduce potential conflict and contributes to housing that costs less and complements community planning efforts. Finally, when local residents and leaders understand the role of housing in local health and prosperity, they are more likely to support new residential development.
Idaho Rural Partnership
IHFA’s Housing Resources Coordinator serves on the Idaho Rural Partnership (IRP) board, a 36-member group of public, private and nonprofit representatives working to improve economic and social conditions in rural Idaho. IRP is best known for the Idaho Community Review program, which pairs volunteer experts with local leaders and residents to help them manage change on their own terms, access grant funds, and create durable economic strategies.
This collaboration allows IHFA, as a participant in community reviews, to increase awareness of housing programs, resources, and planning in rural communities. This contribution is paired with insights from professionals in areas of land-use planning, transportation, community, and economic development. Click here to learn more.
Western Community Assessment Network
Through our work with IRP, Idaho Housing participates in a Tri-State Design Team with the Western Community Assessment Network (WeCAN). This three-year, USDA-funded project supports coordinating and evaluating the rural development work of IRP and University of Idaho Extension, Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) and Montana State University, along with the Wyoming Business Council and University of Wyoming.
The collaboration has yielded a website Community Review assessment map and resources database for rural Western communities, DIY tools for rural community development, mini grants and a best-practices guide.
Our joint efforts garnered the attention of the Kettering Foundation, which sees value in the process of helping researchers understand citizen perspectives and how people engage “to address problems affecting their lives, their communities, and their nation.”
The Foundation invited WeCAN members to take part in its 2019 Learning Exchange to document WeCAN’s process and outcomes. To learn more, click here.
Fair Housing Forum
Idaho Housing is a member of the Fair Housing Forum, a coalition of stakeholders committed to respectful discussion on Fair Housing issues affecting housing consumers, providers and advocates. IHFA supports the Forum and our shared Fair Housing training, awareness campaigns, and activities. Visit IHFA’s Fair Housing page.
Analysis and Reporting
In addition to producing housing-related reports and data, we strive to identify and advocate for the adoption of best practices and responsible and strategic housing initiatives. We also serve as a liaison among housing, community and economic development initiatives, and support strategic planning efforts. This includes sharing data and study results with public, private and nonprofit sectors to effectively allocate resources and address areas of greatest need.
The following are analyses and reports created by Idaho Housing.