BOISE, Idaho – The seventh annual Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge launches today with 48 nonprofits from across the state raising funds to help continue and expand programs that care for the homeless and those in need of housing assistance in Idaho. Organized by Idaho Housing and Finance Association and its Home Partnership Foundation, the 20‐day campaign is designed to rally support for the 48 participating nonprofits who manage the day‐to‐day work of serving the more than 4,000 people expected to experience homelessness in Idaho this coming year.

Avenues for Hope has raised more than $1.47 million for 58 nonprofits in Idaho to date since it launched in 2011. Both the chronically and temporarily homeless are helped by Avenues for Hope, including domestic violence victims, veterans, people with disabilities, vulnerable youth, seniors, and low‐income Idaho residents. Donations can be directed to support emergency shelters, homelessness prevention services, and affordable housing programs throughout the state.

All Idahoans are encouraged to donate $25 or more at avenuesforhope.org to help the homeless in their community. Every dollar donated will be matched $.25 per $1 donated by campaign sponsors. Donors can direct their tax-deductible gifts to one or more of the 48 participating nonprofits. This year’s campaign goal is to exceed $500,000 to help combat homelessness and ensure essential housing resources are available across the state. Donations will be accepted online until midnight December 31.

“Providing Idaho’s communities with the resources to fight homelessness continues to be a core mission of our organization and our foundation,” said Gerald M. Hunter, President of Idaho Housing. “Together, with the generosity of the people of Idaho, we can make a significant positive impact on the resources available to support our neighbors in need throughout our state.”

The Home Partnership Foundation, along with Idaho Housing and Finance Association and 28 other businesses sponsoring the campaign, are contributing more than $200,000 this year in matching funds and challenge grant prizes to be awarded to participating nonprofits. Campaign sponsors include Academy Mortgage, Bank of Commerce, Bank of Idaho, Banner Bank, Barclays, Boise Housing Corporation, Citizens Community Bank, Eide Bailly, Evergreen Home Loans, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, First Interstate BancSystem Foundation, George K. Baum & Company, Guild Mortgage Company, Idaho Independent Bank, Idaho Power Company, KeyBank, Mountain West Bank, New Beginnings Housing, Northwest Integrity Housing, P1FCU, Skinner Fawcett LLP, Stifel, The Pacific Companies, Thomas Development Co., TitleOne Corp., Wells Fargo, and Westcor Land Title Insurance Co.

Campaign Details

Campaign dates: December 12 at 8 a.m. through 12 midnight on December 31, 2017 (MT)
Donations accepted: http://www.avenuesforhope.org
Campaign video: https://youtu.be/bnR8GSP_aD4
Social media hashtag: #AvenuesforHope
Campaign logos/graphics available for download:
Results announced: Early January 2018

About Home Partnership Foundation
The Home Partnership Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) organization created by Idaho Housing and Finance Association 12 years ago with a mission to help people build a strong foundation for their lives through stable, safe, and affordable housing.

The foundation strengthens communities across Idaho by encouraging tax‐deductible charitable gifts to support shelters and shelter services for the homeless and disadvantaged, help avoid eviction actions to stabilize households and prevent homelessness, encourage asset‐building and education to achieve economic independence, build equity‐sharing funds to make workforce housing attainable, and facilitate tax‐advantaged land donations for affordable housing purposes.

Website: www.homepartnershipfoundation.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomePartnershipFoundation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/avenuesforhope

About Idaho Housing and Finance Association
Idaho Housing and Finance Association is a financial services and housing business organization. IHFA’s mission is to improve lives and strengthen Idaho communities by expanding housing opportunities, building self‐sufficiency, and fostering economic development.

Website: www.idahohousing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/idahohousing
Twitter: https://twitter.com/idahohousing