Growth + Affordability

ACHD announces intent to hire bicycle, pedestrian program coordinator

BY: - April 7, 2021

The Ada County Highway District announced it will add a bicyclist and pedestrian program coordinator to its team to better meet the needs of residents who walk or ride bicycles as their mode of transportation. The coordinator will play a large role in existing and future projects and will advise the highway district on best […]

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposes mortgage servicing changes to prevent wave of COVID-19 foreclosures

BY: - April 6, 2021

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a set of rule changes Monday intended to help prevent avoidable foreclosures as the emergency federal foreclosure protections expire. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis, millions of families nationwide have suffered the loss of income and nearly 3 million homeowners are behind on their mortgages. The […]

The Idaho State Capitol reflected in the Joe R. Williams building on March 21, 2021.

City officials, legislators expect controversial property tax bill to return

BY: - April 6, 2021

As the Idaho Legislature gavels back into session today after a two-week recess following a COVID-19 outbreak, a viable property tax relief bill is still one of the top priorities for many. And while Senate Bill 1108 was narrowly defeated March 18, legislators and local city officials expect to see a similar bill introduced in […]

COMMENTARY
A house for sale in the North End of Boise on March 21, 2021.

Why Idahoans miss the mark by blaming Californians for our housing crisis

BY: - April 1, 2021

I remember the sign on a forested highway near my parents’ home. The thing was massive – probably 25 feet wide — with a message sloppily spray-painted on plywood: “Go home California m**********ers.” That was in Western Washington, three decades ago. Maybe some wealthy Californians moved in, threatening our woodsy values. As the sign was […]

KC Hunt, right, and his fiancée, Alissia, spent five hours preparing and decorating a nursery in their rented Boise Bench home in preparation for their baby boy’s arrival in July. The couple recently received an email from their property management company giving them 30 days to find another place to live. They're among hundreds of Idahoans facing eviction during the pandemic and explosive population growth in Idaho.

Since January, more than 250 Treasure Valley evictions have come before court despite moratorium

BY: - March 31, 2021

KC Hunt and his fiancée, Alissia, spent five hours preparing and decorating a nursery in their rented Boise Bench home in preparation for their baby boy’s arrival in July. They set up the crib, nestled a big stuffed brown bear in the corner and stuck blue polka dot stickers to the wall above the changing […]

Idaho Housing and Finance says 2,000 loans went into forbearance during pandemic

BY: - March 31, 2021

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association services about 50,000 home loans across the state of Idaho, and Director of Loan Servicing Chuck Kracht said approximately 2,000 of those loans have gone into forbearance during the past year of the pandemic.  Nationwide, about 2.5 million home loans are in forbearance status.  “A lot of people never […]