Blog

Welcome to Idaho Housing and Finance Association’s new blog, where you will learn about our many products and services, their impact in Idaho, and related industry news and announcements. Read about our team’s activities as we work together to fulfill our mission to improve lives and strengthen communities in Idaho.

Lower mortgage rates for Idaho’s essential workers

We’ve seen what an important role essential workers in Idaho have played during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you are a law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, nurse, doctor, teacher, retail employee, or a current or former member of the military, you’ve stepped up for all of us. Now, Idaho Housing and Finance Association wants to say...

Homelessness in Idaho still a concern, Point In Time count shows

In 2020, more than 2,000 people in Idaho experienced homelessness on any given night, according to the annual Point in Time count. The one-day snapshot of sheltered and unsheltered people took place Jan. 22. It found there were 2,315 people without a place to live across Idaho, the same number counted in 2019. You can read...

Financial help available for Idaho renters

Idaho renters affected by COVID-19 may be eligible for financial assistance through Idaho Housing and Finance Association’s Housing Preservation Program. The program, which is available only to renters, provides short-term rent and utility support for Idahoans experiencing financial hardship because of the pandemic. To qualify, renters must have a current household income of 80% of...

Escrow: It’s not as confusing as it sounds

It’s that time of year when you may be receiving annual property assessments, offering you a preview of what your tax bill may look like this fall. Even though you owe property taxes, there’s a good chance you won’t have to write a check. That’s because if you have a mortgage, your escrow account will...

IHFA’s new board member discusses affordable housing, economic development

Boise attorney Scot Ludwig is the newest member of the Idaho Housing and Finance Association board of commissioners. Ludwig has extensive experience in local government, law, real estate and business. His past service as a member of the Boise City Council and the Capital City Development Corporation underscore his commitment to providing affordable housing and...

Idaho housing nonprofits awarded $380,000 for Covid-19 response

Thousands of Idahoans will continue to have access to safe and stable housing thanks to the Home Partnership Foundation and its corporate partners. The Wells Fargo Foundation, Micron and Idaho Housing and Finance Association each donated $100,000 to the foundation’s COVID-19 Housing Rapid Response Fund, which supports Idaho nonprofits that provide essential housing services. The...

Avenues for Hope tops $160,000 in less than two days!

The 9th Annual Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge is off to its best-ever start with more than $160,000 raised. In a little less than 48 hours, Avenues for Hope eclipsed the amount raised in the first two years of the campaign. The online fundraising campaign assists 80 nonprofits that manage the day-to-day work of helping Idahoans...

Adare Manor brings more affordable housing to downtown Boise

Communities all across the country are grappling with how they can finance and build more affordable housing. In Ada County, the vacancy rate for affordable rental units is less than one percent. “That virtually means that there are people standing in line to take over an apartment that someone is leaving. So essentially it’s a...

HUD’s Carson: Innovation, partnerships key to affordable housing

The importance of innovation and partnerships was the message U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson brought with him to Idaho. “We’re encouraging and welcoming innovative housing in our neighborhoods,” Secretary Carson said during a stop in the Boise area on Aug. 12. Secretary Carson joined U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Idaho...

Community partners break ground on affordable housing development that will help house homeless veterans

There are more than 700 veterans experiencing homelessness in the state of Idaho. A population that makes up just about 13 percent of the total population of homelessness in the Gem State. Unfortunately, Ada County sees a slightly higher rate (14 percent) of veterans experiencing homelessness. A coalition of community partners are working to make...

Shelters to shipping containers: Idaho nonprofits work to meet housing needs

Over the past eight years, the Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge has helped raise more than $3 million for almost 70 Idaho nonprofits that provide safe, stable, and affordable housing for Idahoans. The three-week campaign, which takes place every December, has become the single-largest fundraiser for many Idaho housing nonprofits. The 2018 campaign was another...

The face of homelessness

Every morning, Cynthia makes an hour-long drive from her three-bedroom home among the hop fields of Wilder to the city lights of Boise. A routine she repeats each evening as she works to provide for her family. “I am working toward sustainability,” said Cynthia. Every mile, a step toward stability for her and her family....

How you can become an informed homebuyer

Many people can still remember their first home. They can remember how the back yard was the perfect size for their pet or how they loved the color of the hardwood floors. Buying your first home is a wonderful experience, but it can be intimidating. You hear terms you may not even think are words,...

Boise State study hopes to paint a clearer picture of Idaho’s eviction rate

When people think of evictions they think of someone not paying their rent or possibly violating the terms of a lease. However, a person can be kicked out of his or her home for many reasons. Take, for instance, residents of the North Fork Trailer Park north of Ketchum. More than two dozen families came home...

Twin Falls brewery uses Idaho small-business program to open its doors

Twin Falls is experiencing a downtown transformation. New sidewalks and buildings are under construction and innovative businesses are opening. One of those businesses, Koto Brewing Co., is the lifelong dream of owner Shane Cook. His vision for a brewery, which opened its doors in December, is reality thanks to a unique Idaho small-business program. The Collateral Support Program helps small...

Housing nonprofits receive leg up during holiday season

The Avenues for Hope housing challenge raised a record amount for participating nonprofits on the front lines of fighting homelessness. The 20-day campaign, which ran from Dec. 12 through Dec. 31, raised $875,493 for 51 nonprofits. This year’s total surpassed 2017’s total by more than a $150,000. This year, there were more than 2,600 donors...

The government shutdown: What it means for affordable housing in Idaho

[Updated: Jan. 16, 2019] Is Idaho Housing and Finance Association closed? No. It is operating normally. Idaho Housing and Finance Association is neither a state nor a federal government organization. Idaho Housing is a self-supporting corporation and does not use state-appropriated funds, but it does partner with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development...

Avenues for Hope provides community safety net for housing nonprofits

The 8th annual Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge kicked off on Dec. 12. The online fundraiser, organized by Idaho Housing and Finance Association in conjunction with The Home Partnership Foundation, supports 55 participating nonprofits that manage the day-to-day work of serving the more than 7,000 students and 4,000 other Idahoans affected by homelessness. The online campaign...

New Path becomes first “Housing First” development in Idaho

New Path Community Housing Development in Boise opened its doors as Idaho’s first “Housing First” Permanent Supportive Housing development. New Path houses 40 people battling chronic homelessness and provides wrap-around services to help residents achieve stability. Housing First is a shift from the more traditional approach to caring for the homeless. Housing First prioritizes and provides those experiencing chronic homelessness...

States look to Boise to help solve homelessness issue

Homelessness is an issue that’s impacting people all across the United States. A crisis hitting the streets from Portland, Oregon to New York City. Last year, the Point-in-Time Count estimated 553,742 people were homeless on a single night, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It’s the first increase in the PIT Count since...

Homeownership a new reality for Idaho veteran

Tom is a 66-year-old Vietnam War veteran, who always dreamed of owning a home. “You never quite feel at home if you don’t own it,” he says. Tom’s dream of homeownership eventually become a reality this past year after qualifying for a home loan through Idaho Housing and Finance Association. Growing up, Tom put his...

Modular homes deliver a new affordable housing option for Idaho

Organizations across the United States are working to answer the same question: How do we build more affordable housing? Some are taking unconventional approaches to the housing shortage. The demand has put pressure on cities and developers to build more affordable housing quickly. Close to home, modular homes are gaining a foothold. The Housing Company tapped into...

A new tool makes it easier to apply for rental assistance

Applying for Housing Choice Vouchers, also known as Section 8 Vouchers, through Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) just got a lot easier. “We’re excited to announce that we now have an online portal for applicants,” said Lisa Stevens, senior manager for Idaho Housing’s Rental Assistance Program. Applicants no longer have to print and mail...

What’s driving Boise’s hot housing market?

There’s no question Idaho is growing. Fast. The Idaho Department of Labor projects the Gem State’s population will reach almost 2 million by 2025. The bulk of that growth is taking place in Southwest Idaho. The Boise metropolitan area, by some measures, has even been tabbed the fastest-growing area in the country. The population boom is having...

Cottonwood Apartments provides affordable housing for Eagle seniors

Idaho has been dubbed one of the top places to retire. Many cite the Gem State’s quality of life and affordability as the reasons they choose to live here. However, as the population rises, rents inch up. Every increase affects those, like the Treasure Valley senior community, who are on fixed incomes. The Cottonwood Meadows Affordable Senior...

5 things you can do to protect your home from the winter

As the leaves turn yellow and the mornings become brisk, it’s evident that fall is officially here. A stark reminder that winter is only a few short months away. The next few months of fall are an ideal time for you to make repairs and winterize your home before those short, cold days are here....

For Idahoans who need flood insurance, this federal program could be a lifeline

Many parts of the South are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Florence. Though Idaho is hundreds miles from the ocean and has never felt the impact of a hurricane, we know firsthand the damage that can be done by floods. Many cities, such as Boise, Twin Falls, Weiser and Hailey, are still picking up...

Bonneville Renovation to provide more affordable housing to Idaho Falls

The historic Bonneville Hotel in Idaho Falls is about to undergo a complete restoration. Over the course of the next year, it will be stripped down to its core and transformed into 35 new affordable apartments. The hotel, which occupied the corner of Constitution Way in downtown Idaho Falls for nearly a century, was once...

Idaho’s homeless student population on the rise

The final ring of a school bell can bring about a number of different emotions for students. Some may be excited while others may feel anxiety because school is the only safe and stable place for them to go. Unfortunately, these emotions are compounded for the homeless student population, which has steadily increased in Idaho...

Idaho small businesses make big gains thanks to unique financial support

Housing is just one part of what makes a community a fulfilling place to call home, which is why Idaho Housing and Finance Association is always excited to work with people who have a vision for strengthening our local economy. Jeff Brourman’s vision was to give the Treasure Valley a unique option for affordable and...

Idaho donors help keep the lights on for nonprofits that serve the homeless

The term “sojourner” arose through European literature to describe the rise of nomadic people who found purpose in wandering freely from place to place. While it’s easy to romanticize their restless spirits, the unsettling truth is that for most people living this way, life quickly becomes physically and emotionally exhausting. Sojourners’ Alliance, a unique homeless...

Saving for a down payment? These apps will help you budget

When you have a goal that’s important but costly, achieving it takes hard work. This is especially true when buying a home. Not only do you need to have a sound financial background to get a loan, you need a down payment. With the cost of living rising in Idaho, how do you save for...

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