HomeMy Public PortalAbout2022.02.01 The State of Homelessness in IdahoTHE STATE OF
HOMELESSNESS
IN IDAHO
Idaho Housing and Finance, nonprofits, community organizations, response
networks and public-private partnerships are leading a coordinated effort
to address the issue of homelessness in Idaho. This report was created
as an educational tool for service providers, elected officials, community
leaders and donors. Ultimately, it is our collective hope that the information
in this report brings greater awareness to the challenges experienced by those
facing homelessness, the successful interventions being undertaken and
the additional resources needed to end homelessness for al/ Idahoans.
Through a united effort, we can ensure every Idahoan has access
to a safe and stable place to call home.
We hope that you are inspired by this report to find ways to become actively
engaged in the fight against homelessness in Idaho.
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FORMS OF HOMELESSNESS
We often see homelessness as someone living on the street. While this is the reality
for some, it is not for the majority of those experiencing homelessness. The list
below outlines the various degrees of homelessness.
Imminent Risk of Homelessness:
A person or family who will lose their primary nighttime residence within 14 days.
Precariously Housed:
A person or family who lack a fixed, regular nighttime residence but have been
offered accommodation from friends or family for an indeterminate time.
Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence:
A person or family that is fleeing or is attempting to flee domestic violence,
has no other residence, lacks resources or support networks, or does not have
permanent housing.
Literally Homeless:
A person or a family who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
Typically, this means living in a place not meant for habitation or in an
emergency shelter.
Chronically Homeless:
A person or family who has experienced homelessness for at least one year-or
repeatedly-while having a disabling condition.
HOMELESSNESS INTERVENTIONS
Homelessness Prevention:
Homelessness prevention provides limited financial assistance (rent and utilities)
and services to people who are at risk of becoming homeless. The assistance
is designed to stabilize people in their existing homes or to provide housing
options that prevent placement in an emergency shelter or living in a place
not meant for habitation.
Emergency Shelter:
Emergency shelters offer temporary, basic accommodations to help people avoid
living on the street or in other places not meant for habitation. Many shelters
support people by helping them connect with resources, necessary benefits
and programs. The goal of emergency shelter is to provide temporary relief while
those experiencing homelessness resolve their barriers to housing or until more
suitable and appropriate permanent housing arrangements are available.
Rapid Rehousing:
Rapid rehousing is time-limited assistance that helps those experiencing
homelessness move as quickly as possible into permanent housing and achieve
stability through a combination ofrental assistance and supportive services.
Rapid rehousing is a proven, effective strategy best suited for those with
fewer needs for services.
Transitional Housing:
Transitional housing provides shelter and services to those experiencing
homelessness with very specific service needs for an intermediate amount of time.
This type of housing is successful for youth, those recovering from substance use,
ex-offenders, or those fleeing domestic violence.
Permanent Supportive Housing:
Permanent supportive housing is housing that is safe, decent, affordable and
that provides households with full rights of tenancy as well as links to flexible
support and services. This approach helps house the most vulnerable who have
significant barriers to finding stable housing. Although participation in supportive
services is not mandatory to remain in housing, people are encouraged to participate
in the following services: healthcare, mental health care, substance-use treatment,
life-skills classes, financial consulting, and job training and placement.
Permanent Housing:
Permanent housing exists in various forms ranging from subsidized programs
with or without services, income-based programs with or without services and
market-rate rentals and owned dwellings. If services exist, they are commonly
centered around providing a sense of community rather than addressing
individual needs.
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PRIMARY CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS
The top causes of homelessness in Idaho are: experiencing domestic violence
or other domestic dispute; eviction or being forced from the place of residence;
loss of income; lack of affordable, safe housing; and disability-related challenges.
This data assists in identifying and implementing appropriate and effective
homelessness programs and prevention initiatives based on local needs.
Each jurisdiction should assess the causes of homelessness that are most
prevalent in its area to develop successful initiatives for their community.
EFFECTIVE INITIATIVES
We define success by how quickly we help individuals and families become permanently
housed and build stable futures for themselves. Homelessness prevention, eliminating
barriers to housing, increasing housing availability and addressing the most prevalent
reasons for becoming homeless are important contributors to our success in helping
households find stability and self-sufficiency.
100%
Positive Exits from Permanent Housing
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
'Includes literally homeless and survivors of domestic violence. This data is reported from the Homeless Management Information
System (HMIS) and Community Management Information System (CMIS), both of which are electronic databases that gather
the characteristics and service needs of those experiencing homelessness.
"""Represents households exiting homelessness services into permanent housing that did not return to homelessness programs within
two years. This figure is not derived from surveying households two years after exiting a program and therefore cannot account
for some unknown circumstances such as a household moving from the area that may have received services elsewhere.
RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION
Resources for homelessness service providers come
from a variety of sources: federal, state and local;
donations provided by Idaho Housing; and other
private funding sources.
TYPES OF HOMELESSNESS
ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS
ADMINISTRATIVE • HOMELESS MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION SYSTEM • HOMELESS PREVENTION • EMERGENCY SHELTER • RAPID RE-HOUSING • TRANSITIONAL HOUSING • PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING
TYPES OF CLIENTS SERVED
& ASSAULT SURVIVORS
• VETERANS
Q YOUTH
D ACCESS POINT
• GENERAL
A list of homelessness service providers is shown on the opposite page, which
highlights the area of the state they operate in and the kind of homelessness
assistance services these organizations provide. Agencies listed may also
offer other types of housing and service programs not listed here that are not
specifically for people experiencing homelessness.
• All county population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
•• The number of people experiencing homelessness is reported from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
and Community Management Information System (CMIS), both of which are electronic databases that gather the characteristics
and service needs of those experiencing homelessness. The total also includes data from providers who do not participate in the
HMIS or CMIS systems. The total is not representative of data from all providers and should be considered a minimum baseline.
••• Sou"es reflect matching funds required by federal grants and state, local and private funding. Organizations may have
generated or received other funding to support homelessness assistance activities not included here.
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EXTENT OF HOMELESSNESS
100%
POINT-IN-TIME COUNT
The Point-in-Time count is used to help determine the number of those
experiencing homelessness in unsheltered environments. The count is done
annually on one night in January and results can be impacted from year to year
based on several factors, including count locations, weather and the number
of volunteers surveying. The Point-in-Time count is best used to look at
trends of those unsheltered over time .
% CHANGE YEAR OVER YEAR:
••• • • 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
• Includes literally homeless and survivors of domestic violence. This data is reported from the Homeless Management Information System
(HMIS) and Community Management Information System (CMIS), both of which are electronic databases that gather the characteristics
and service needs of those experiencing homelessness.
"K-12 students as reported by the Idaho State Board of Education. Includes literally homeless, survivors of domestic violence and precariously
housed. Reported fram a different source than the source used to report individuals seeking homelessness services listed above.
"' Due to the COV/0-19 pandemic there were parts of the state where an unsheltered count was not performed or was limited in scope.
ADDRESSING
HOMELESSNESS
•
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CHARACTERISTICS OF HOMELESSNESS
The path to safe, stable housing must meet the unique needs of each person
or family. To accomplish this, we must have a clear picture of the characteristics
and circumstances of those who are unhoused. By doing so, we help ensure
homelessness is a rare, brief and nonrecurring experience.
•
•
""Includes literally homeless and survivors of domestic violence.
This data is reported from the Homeless Management Information
System (HMIS) and Community Management Information System (CMIS), both of which are electronic databases that gather
the characteristics and se,vice needs of those experiencing homelessness. One percent of individuals refused to report their gender.
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REGION 1
POPULATION* HOMELESS** FEDERAL FUNDING
253,227 520 $4,856,615
IHFA FUNDING OTHER FUNDING***
$2,513,036 $5,744,050
Bonner Homeless Transitions -• •
Family Promise of North Idaho -• • •
Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest -•
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare -• •
Idaho Housing and Finance Association -• • •
Priest River Ministries -• •
Safe Passage -• • •
St. Vincent De Paul of North Idaho -D • • • • •
The Children's Village -0 0 0
Union Gospel Mission -•
REGION 2
HOMELESS**
839
FEDERAL FUNDING
$2,008,454
POPULATION*
110,415
IHFA FUNDING
$1,777,274
OTHER FUNDING***
$380,500
Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse -•
Blue Mountain Action Council -• •
Family Promise of Lewis and Clark Valley -• • • 0 00 • • •
Family Promise of the Palouse -• • •
First Step 4 Life Recovery Center -• • • • •
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare -• •
Idaho Housing and Finance Association -• • •
LC Valley Youth Resource Center -0
Salvation Army Lewiston -• • • • • •
Sojourners' Alliance -D • • • • •
YWCA of Lewiston-Clarkston -• •
REGION 3
HOMELESS**
1,054
FEDERAL FUNDING
$12,899,374
POPULATION*
350,428
IHFA FUNDING
$4,180,780
OTHER FUNDING***
$7,715,577
Advocates Against Family Violence -• • • • •
Astegos -•
Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities -• •
Boise Rescue Mission -• • •
CATCH -De
El-Ada Community Action, Inc. -• • • • • • • • •
Hope House -0
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare -• •
Idaho Housing and Finance Association -• • •
Jesse Tree -•
Salvation Army Nampa -• •
Shepherd's Home -0
Terry Reilly Health Services -•a •
The House Next Door -•
Trinity New Hope -•
REGION 4
POPULATION*
206,625
HOMELESS**
982
FEDERAL FUNDING
$3,273,207
IHFA FUNDING
$1,767,896
OTHER FUNDING***
$8,011,303
CLUB, Inc. -e
Crossroads Harbor -• • •
Homeless Veterans Fellowship -• •
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare -• •
Idaho Housing and Finance Association -• • •
Safe House -0 0
South Central Community Action Partnership -D • • • • • • •
The Advocates -• • •
Twin Falls Optimist Youth House -0
Valley House -• •
Voices Against Violence -• •
REGION 5
POPULATION* HOMELESS** FEDERAL FUNDING
175,045 663 $2,915 ,177
IHFA FUNDING OTHER FUNDING***
$3,258,161 $262,004
Aid for Friends -D • • • •
Bannock Youth Foundation -0 0
Bingham Crisis Center -•
Family Services Alliance of Southeast Idaho -• • • • • •
Homeless Veterans Fellowship -• •
Housing Alliance And Community Partnerships -• • •
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare -• •
Idaho Housing and Finance Association -• • •
Oneida Crisis Center -• • •
Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency -• • •
REGION 6
HOMELESS**
449
FEDERAL FUNDING
$5,330,665
POPULATION*
248,399
IHFA FUNDING
$1,065,209
OTHER FUNDING***
$1,028,444
CLUB, Inc. -De e e
Community Resource Center of Teton Valley -• •
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center -• • •
Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership -•
Emergency Housing Exchange -•
Family Crisis Center -.t.
Habitat for Humanity -• • • •
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare -• •
Idaho Falls Rescue Mission -• •
Idaho Housing and Finance Association -• • •
Lemhi County Crisis Center -.t.
Promise Ridge -•
St. Vincent De Paul -•
HOMELESS**
4,307
FEDERAL FUNDING
$23,471,241
POPULATION*
494,967
IHFA FUNDING
$6,930,018
OTHER FUNDING***
$9,362,959
Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities -.t. • • •
Boise Rescue Mission -• • • •
Boise VA Medical Center -• • • •
CATCH -e
City of Boise -•
City of Meridian -•
Corpus Christi House -•
El-Ada Community Action Partnership -• • • • • • • • •
Good Samaritan Home -•
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare -• •
Idaho Housing and Finance Association -
Idaho Youth Ranch -0
Institute for Community Alliances -•
Interfaith Sanctuary
Housing Services -• .t. • • • • • • •
Jesse Tree -•
New Path Community Housing -•
Salvation Army Boise -•
St. Vincent De Paul of SW Idaho -•
Supportive Housing and
Innovative Partnerships -•
Terry Reilly Health
Services -• • •
Women's and Children's
Alliance -A .t.
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COMBATING HOMELESSNESS
Idaho's homelessness assistance network has tackled homelessness through
a variety of programs and interventions throughout the state. Administrators of
these program foster collaboration, facilitate and encourage partnerships, develop
funding allocation and intervention strategies, set goals and create program policy.
Through their tireless work, Idahoans in need receive much-needed food, clothes,
services, financial support, healthcare, counseling, substance-use treatment,
connection to mainstream resources, transportation and housing.
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EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS
Housing as a Platform
Housing is a basic and essential need -something that all people share. It influences
all aspects of a person's well-being, including their health. The mantra "Housing
is Healthcare" has become a common principle across healthcare and supportive
housing sectors. As other stakeholders (such as local government, foundations and
employers) have come to recognize the correlation between housing and healthcare,
public-private partnerships have formed to develop supportive housing solutions.
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Public-Private Partnerships
Many ofldaho's housing programs and
infrastructure improvements are supported
by federal funding. However, federal resources
cannot keep up with local demand. Public-private
partnerships are the solution to tackling this issue.
The inclusion of local partners brings impassioned
leaders, generates innovation and spurs financial
and in-kind contributions.
Several Idaho communities have laid a great
foundation in forming such partnerships by
leveraging federal, local and private contributions.
These benefits are clearly demonstrated in projects
such as LC Valley Youth Resource Center, New Path
Community Housing, Valor Pointe, Aid For Friends'
expanded shelter, Canyon Terrace, the Emergency
Rental Assistance Program and St. Vincent De Paul
of orth Idaho's En Vision Center.
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PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
LC Valley Youth Resource Center
On September 6, 2020, LC Valley Youth Resource Center in Lewiston opened
its doors to serve at-risk and homeless youth. The nonprofit, which focuses its
services on 12-17 year olds, works alongside law enforcement, school districts
and other agencies to fill the gaps between existing programs for teens.
The facility is the brainchild of Michelle King, who made it a reality after years
of temporarily caring for her children's classmates. When her youngest son
graduated from high school, the family discussed ways to create a long-term,
sustainable solution. Eventually, the city of Lewiston and local businesses
helped make King's vision a reality, culminating with the purchase of a
building in June 2020.
Thanks to the hard work and generosity of the Lewis Clark Valley community,
along with a $375,000 investment by Idaho Housing and Finance, LC Valley
Youth Resource Center operates without debt. That enables the organization
to pour all of its resources into the youth it serves.
"It's huge, because debt can be the end of anything," said King, who is the
organization's board president. "Knowing the building is paid for means
that everything else goes straight to our guests and to providing services."
On average, 26 children take advantage of the center's afternoon program
from 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. every day. The children, most ages 12-14, can get
something to eat, take a shower, do their homework with volunteers
or just hang out with peers.
LC Valley Youth Resource Center also can house children overnight. King says
as many as eight kids at one time have used the overnight program.
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Emergency Rental Assistance
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide in 2020, the approach to utilizing
housing as healthcare became more important. The economic impact of the
pandemic caused many Idahoans to become unstably housed because of their
inability to pay their housing expenses. The loss of housing can cause depression,
anxiety, substance abuse, domestic violence, psychological distress and suicide.
Fortunately, the negative effects of housing instability were mitigated for many
by emergency rental assistance.
FUNDS DISBURSED*
$57,000,000
HOUSEHOLDS ASSISTED*
15,100
To learn more scan code or visit:
https://www.idahohousing.com/hpp/
Ada County
To learn more scan code or visit:
https:/ferap.bcacha.org/
• Figures represent program impact from April 2020 thraugh December 2021.
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IDAHO HOUSING'S FOUNDATION
The Home Partnership Foundation
The Home Partnership Foundation is a nonprofit organization created by Idaho
Housing and Finance to help communities meet their most pressing housing
needs. For more than 16 years, the foundation has received charitable donations
from employers, the private sector, developers, local governments, financial
institutions and others to help sustain and grow affordable housing opportunities
directly and through support for Idaho nonprofits. Since its founding in 2005,
the foundation has invested more than $14 million to help address housing
needs in Idaho.
To learn more, visit idahohousing.com/foundation.
Avenues for Hope
The Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge is a unique fundraising
campaign created by the Home Partnership Foundation. The goal
of the annual campaign is to strengthen housing-related nonprofits
throughout Idaho by encouraging individual donations to help
prevent homelessness and improve affordable housing options.
Over the past 11 years, the campaign has raised $9 .5 million
for housing nonprofits.
To learn more, visit avenuesforhope.org.
TOTAL FUNDING 2011-2021
HOW
CAN
YOU
HELP ,,
... or use what you have learned
to correct misconceptions about homelessness.
Thank you,
to our valued partners who contributed
information and data presented
in this year's report.
A Idaho Housing ~ and Finance
® Association