How to apply
Gather your information:
- Proof of income,
- A copy of your lease agreement,
- A rent delinquency notice or your past-due utility bill,
- A signed copy of this eligibility form,
- A signed copy of this release form,
- Basic information about each household member,
- An electronic copy of a government-issued ID,
- Email address for landlord (Check the FAQs below if you don’t know your landlord’s email address.)
Complete a simple application:
- Click here to apply online
- Check this step-by-step guide to the application process.
- Ada County residents must apply here.
Already applied?
- Renters can check the status of their application here.
- Have questions? Email HPP@IHFA.org or call 855-452-0801.
- Step-by-step guide for landlords/property managers here.
Other resources for renters
- Connect with a counselor: Idaho Housing’s rental counselors can help you navigate a variety of rental issues and help connect you to the best resources. Get started here or by calling 877-695-2655.
FAQs
Am I eligible to receive assistance?
• Be an Idaho resident. (If you live in Ada County, you must apply here.)
• Meet the program’s income limits.
• Be unable to pay rent or utilities because of a financial hardship that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is a 'financial hardship' during the COVID-19 pandemic?
How do I check on the status of a previously submitted application?
How long before my application is reviewed?
Additionally, applications that have been completed by the tenant AND the landlord are reviewed first. When you submit your application, please make sure you correctly entered your landlord’s email address. Your landlord will get an invitation to complete their part of the application. If your landlord has not completed their part or did not receive an invitation, they can register in the system and complete their part of the application. Please make sure your landlord has the email address you used on your application. There is a landlord guide to the application that can be found elsewhere on this page.
What if I don’t know my landlord’s (or tenant if you are a landlord) email address?
I am subletting my housing from another person, am I eligible?
I’m a homeowner and need help paying my mortgage, can you help me with that type of assistance?
How are applications prioritized?
The prioritization of resources among eligible households is employed to ensure those with the greatest need are served first. The prioritization factors are:
- Households with incomes less than 50% area median income.
- Households with one or more members who have been unemployed for at least 90 days.
- Households that have been served with an eviction notice.
Applications that have both tenant and landlord portions complete will be reviewed first. The remaining applications will be processed based on the date and time the application is received.
I am homeless and/or need help getting into a new unit, can you help me with that?
I own a mobile home, am I eligible for assistance?
If I’ve already received assistance, can I seek additional assistance?
How much assistance can I expect?
I am not past due yet, but I have experienced a financial hardship during the pandemic. I know I will not be able to pay my rent next month. Should I apply?
My rent is due today, can you submit a payment today?
Will you cover late fees?
Will you negotiate with my utility company/landlord?
How does the landlord receive payment?
Will Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties, or recipients of other rental subsidies be eligible?
What jurisdiction do you cover?
Can non-citizens apply?
I don’t know when I will start earning income or when I will be financially stable again, will I still qualify?
Will you help cover a rental application fee?
My landlord is trying to evict me despite bringing my balance current, can they do that?
I need a place to stay temporarily, will your funds cover a short-term motel stay?
Can I be reimbursed for a payment(s) I have already made, but could not afford?
What happens if I don’t have a phone where I can be reached for follow-up?
What documents do I need to provide?
What if I don’t have all the required verification documents?
I do not have any income or recently lost my income. How do I prove this?
Can I request assistance with my rent and my utilities in the same application?
I don’t have a copy of my lease agreement, can you still help me?
I don’t have an eviction notice yet, and I don’t want one. Can I show you my rental ledger or will a statement from my landlord suffice?
I need help applying. What do I do?
What are the terms of assistance?
- Whenever possible, assistance payments will be made directly to the payee (landlord/utility company);
- The tenant does not intend to vacate the unit during the period of assistance;
- The landlord will not evict the tenant for non-payment of rent or related fees during the period of assistance;
- The owner/landlord is NOT related to the tenant. If related, the landlord/owner will immediately notify IHFA of this relationship;
- Funds issued for rental assistance will be pro-rated with excess funds being refunded to the program if tenancy ends during the period of assistance;
- If funds are issued for security deposits, the landlord may deduct reasonable and documented damage from said deposit. The difference remaining will be refunded to the program regardless of when tenancy ends;
- Rental assistance funds are not to be used for any costs other than rent and agreed-upon late fees;
- There is not a duplicate assistance being paid for the period of assistance; and
- The landlord may not continue to assess late or other fees following approval of an application.
Disclaimer: Program details may be supplemented or changed by additional guidance from the Secretary of the Treasury or as Idaho Housing and Finance determines necessary. This project is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number 20-1892-0-1-806 awarded to Idaho Housing and Finance Association by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
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