BOISE, Idaho – The sixth annual Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge launches today with 44 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. Organized by Idaho Housing and Finance Association and its foundation, the Home Partnership Foundation, the 24-day campaign is designed to rally support for the 44 participating nonprofits who manage the day-to-day work of serving the more than 4,000 homeless in Idaho.

The public is encouraged to donate $25 or more at www.avenuesforhope.org to help the homeless in their community. Donors can direct their gift to one or more of the 44 participating nonprofits. This year’s campaign goal is $400,000 to help combat homelessness and ensure essential housing resources are available across the state. Donations will be accepted until midnight December 31.

“The importance of providing affordable housing and services to displaced individuals and families is one of the core beliefs of our organization,” said Gerald M. Hunter, President of Idaho Housing. “We are excited to see nonprofit and sponsor participation in Avenues for Hope continue to increase each year. Through a united effort, we can ensure Idaho’s homeless receive the care and support they need.”

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 support emergency shelters, homelessness prevention services, and affordable housing programs throughout the state. In total, Avenues for Hope’s participating nonprofits have received nearly $1 million in the past five years.

The Home Partnership Foundation along with Idaho Housing and 27 other businesses sponsoring the campaign are contributing up to $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, Bank of the Cascades, Barclays, Boise Housing Corporation, Citizens Community Bank, Eide Bailly, Evergreen Home Loans, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, First Mortgage Company, George K. Baum & Company, Guild Mortgage Company, Idaho Independent Bank, KeyBank, Mountain West Bank, New Beginnings Housing, Northwest Integrity Housing, P1FCU, The Pacific Companies, Skinner Fawcett LLP, Stifel, Thomas Development Co., Wells Fargo, and Zions Bank Corporate Trust.

Campaign dates: December 8 at 8 a.m. through 12 midnight on December 31, 2016
Donations accepted: http://www.avenuesforhope.org
Campaign video: https://youtu.be/dcJV5amI1js
Social media hashtag: #IdahoHomeless
Campaign logos/graphics available for download: https://avenuesforhope.org/#npo-resources
Results announced: Early January 2017

44 Nonprofit Organizations participating in the Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge

NORTH IDAHO
Affordable Housing Foundation, Inc.	Family Promise of the Palouse	Sojourners’ Alliance
Bonner County Homeless Task Force	Lewiston-Clarkston Partners Habitat for Humanity	St Vincent de Paul North Idaho
Family Promise of Lewis Clark Valley	Moscow Affordable Housing Trust, Inc.	The Women’s Center, Inc.
Family Promise of North Idaho	The Salvation Army	Union Gospel Mission Association of Spokane
SOUTHEAST IDAHO
Aid For Friends, Inc.	Idaho Falls Rescue Mission	Pocatello Habitat for Humanity
Blaine County Housing Authority	Lemhi County Crisis Intervention / The Mahoney House	South Central Community Action Partnership
CLUB, Inc.	Mini-Cassia Shelter	Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency
Family Services Alliance	NeighborWorks Pocatello	Volunteers Against Violence
SOUTHWEST IDAHO
Advocates Against Family Violence	First Story	The Jesse Tree of Idaho
Boise Housing First	Good Samaritan Home	NeighborWorks Boise
Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity	Home Partnership Foundation	The Salvation Army
CATCH, Inc.	Hope House, Inc.	Shepherd’s Home, Inc.
The Community Builder	Idaho Youth Ranch, Inc.	Society of St. Vincent de Paul of SW Idaho
Concordia University	Interfaith Sanctuary Shelter	Women’s & Children’s Alliance
Corpus Christi House, Inc.	International Rescue Committee

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About Home Partnership Foundation
The Home Partnership Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) organization created by Idaho Housing and Finance Association 11 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