Agencies work on future of affordable housing in Idaho

The Gem State is growing and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

As more people move into Idaho and families keep growing, the demand for housing will continue to increase. Affordable housing is starting to push outward, and more and more communities are likely to see more development with affordable housing opportunities.

“Idaho is no longer one of our nation’s best kept secrets,” said Brian Woodward, chief operating officer for LEAP Housing. “Prior to COVID, people were flocking to Idaho for its access to the outdoors, family-friendly culture and job growth. During and after COVID, it seems that those benefits just become that much more compelling as remote working became a mainstream option.”

Jeff Chapman, vice president of operations for the commercial building construction company Wright Brothers, agreed, saying that Idaho is attractive due to its growing job market, low crime rates, good schools, endless opportunities for outdoor recreation and its political landscape.

“Communities are growing, yet the state retains a safe feel,” he said.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Idaho has been one of the fastest-growing states in the country and as of July 2024, there are more than 2 million residents who call the Gem State home.

This creates an extreme need for affordable housing.

“While the rapid population growth has tapered off, the influx of people that moved to the Boise MSA over the past several years – as well as the ones who will move here in the near future with the tech companies building and expanding here – has created a great need for more housing, especially units that are affordable,” said Inga Hadder, chief operating officer for NeighborWorks Boise (NWB).

In a 2024 City of Boise Housing Needs Analysis, it was concluded that Boise will require more than 2,000 new or significantly renovated units each year over the next 10 years; 47% of this demand is for housing affordable to individuals and households earning less than 80% of the area median income.

Hadder explained that NWB is helping create a larger inventory of affordable housing for individuals and families, at or below that median income, by building subdivisions of reasonably priced single-family homes with common areas and remote parking.

“These ‘Pocket Neighborhoods’ provide opportunities for homeowners of diverse income levels and grew out of the desire by many to move closer to where they work and play,” she said.

NeighborWorks Boise is also helping preserve affordable housing through its Homeowner Repair Program, which offers needed home repairs for Meridian residents. Eligible applicants can receive home repairs with budgets between $2,000 and $25,000. Since implementing the program in 2021, NWB has served 24 households with an average of $20,695 in repairs per home. In December 2024, NWB was awarded $750,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to continue to provide home repairs – mostly for seniors and those with disabilities – throughout Ada and Canyon Counties. This helps keep people in their homes and thriving.

LEAP Housing is also doing its part to provide safe and affordable housing for Idaho residents.
Bart Cochran, CEO of the organization said, “LEAP Housing focuses on the development and preservation of affordable housing inventory. Because Idaho does not have a state-funded housing trust fund, Idaho has lagged in its ability to create affordable housing like its peers. To support Idaho’s need for more affordable and workforce housing, LEAP created the LEAP Housing Impact Fund. The fund allows us to invest capital from private donors and investors so that we can close the funding gap for projects in our pipeline.”

Additionally, Wright Brothers has completed more than 11 apartment complexes in the last five years that have been classified as tax credit affordable housing. This has opened up more than 556 units of affordable housing in Idaho. In the last 25 years, the company has built over 2,700 units around the state.

“One of the greatest strains we face is on the generational Idahoan family,” said Zach Higgins, owner and CEO of Wright Brothers. “As families grow, will our children be able to afford to purchase their own homes? Will they be stuck, tied to an unaffordable mortgage, or will they choose to leave the state entirely in search of other opportunities? It raises the larger question of whether apartment living is conducive to raising a family.”

He added that those questions are starting to be answered.

“To address these needs, we’re seeing new affordable housing communities prioritizing community living and providing amenities that benefit the family unit,” Higgins said. “It is exciting to continue to be part of that growth and we are privileged to work alongside our partners, subcontractors and suppliers – relationships that often have spanned decades. The need for affordable housing will continue well into the future.”

While the Boise area is exploding with development and progress, people are also drawn to outlying cities such as Caldwell, Nampa, Meridian, Kuna, Middleton and Star. This creates a need for affordable housing in those areas, too.

“We believe that everyone in the community has value, each one with a unique perspective and an important part to play in helping our community thrive,” Hadder said. “Affordable housing enables people of all income levels and walks of life to live in or at least near the community where they work or go to school, and within a reasonable proximity to vital shopping and health care services, so the community can function more efficiently and effectively.”

Looking ahead, there is much to be done to continue to meet housing needs. Experts continue to grapple with supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, rising construction costs and juggling project timelines to meet all those factors. Creativity and patience are required to continue to create housing communities that don’t compromise on quality.

“No city has enough housing,” Cochran said. “Each community – whether rural, tourist or urban focused – has unique challenges. And each of our cities has unique assets that it can bring to the solution-making table to create housing.”