Growth + Affordability

Photo of an unhoused person in Boulder, Colorado

Voters embraced affordable housing initiatives. Advocates say Congress should do the same.

BY: - December 16, 2022

Voters in Colorado approved a statewide affordable housing initiative in November; while voters in nine cities across the country OK’d measures to finance the construction of affordable housing, preserve existing rental properties and support renters. But as housing costs soar, analysts and advocates say more needs to be done and argue that federal action is […]

Dollar bills in the shape of homes

As funds run dry, Idaho Housing and Finance will soon pause emergency rental assistance program

BY: - December 14, 2022

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association plans to pause applications for emergency rental assistance funds on Dec. 29 because federal funds are quickly running dry for areas beyond Ada County — a problem the agency hopes the Idaho Legislature can help with in January. The Emergency Rental Assistance program is meant to help individuals who […]

Cartons of eggs shown in a refrigerated section of a supermarket

Here’s why food prices remain stubbornly high even as inflation cools

BY: - December 14, 2022

Shoppers hoping for a little relief at the grocery store for their holiday meals will be disappointed by the Consumer Price Index released Tuesday. The CPI shows inflation cooling but food prices — particularly for some holiday staples — remain high. The CPI increased 0.1% in November, which was lower than some economists expected. Over […]

Associated Taxpayers of Idaho program on table

Newly elected Idaho officials talk taxes, upcoming legislative session at annual conference

BY: - November 30, 2022

Concerns about the economy, budget outlooks, property taxes and other subjects were the focus of the 76th annual Associated Taxpayers of Idaho Conference on Wednesday, with legislators and newly elected officials in attendance about a month before the next legislative session begins. The Associated Taxpayers of Idaho is a nonprofit organization that produces reports related […]

Vivek Sankaran seated before a Senate subcommittee, wearing a dark suit, orange tie and glasses. He is gesturing with his left hand.

Albertsons-Kroger mega-deal raises questions from lawmakers about higher food prices

BY: and - November 30, 2022

WASHINGTON —  Members of a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee panel raised concerns during a Tuesday hearing that a proposed merger between two of the largest U.S. supermarket chains could mean a monopoly on groceries and lead to higher food prices for Americans. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat who chairs the Subcommittee on Competition […]

Fed Chair Jerome Powell Holds News Conference Following Federal Open Market Committee Meeting

The Fed raises interest rates again, signals more coming despite pressure to slow the pace

BY: - November 2, 2022

The Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday that in its continuing efforts to tamp down inflation, it would raise interest rates yet again by another three-quarters of a point to a target range of 3.75 to 4%. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said during a press conference following the announcement that the “historically fast pace” of […]

COMMENTARY
For rent sign

Idaho’s housing resources positively impact our community’s quality of life

BY: - September 26, 2022

Families and individuals are able to be healthier when they live in affordable homes, and mental health is no exception. However, more Idaho families are struggling to find affordable places to live due to rapidly increasing rental prices outpacing wage growth combined with a statewide shortage of affordable homes.  According to the Point-in-Time Count Report […]

Oak Crest sign

As residents struggle with rising rent, North Idaho manufactured home park is no exception

BY: - September 14, 2022

While much of the conversation around real estate in Idaho has focused on how rising rents and home prices affect those who live in apartment communities and single-family homes, one segment of the housing population that is frequently left out is those living in manufactured or mobile homes. Housing advocates say manufactured home communities are […]

HUD

As rural homelessness increases, HUD aims money at helping people without access to shelters

BY: - September 12, 2022

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has opened up millions of dollars in funding for groups serving unhoused people in rural areas — an unprecedented move by the agency, say housing advocates. People living in cars, parks, and on the street at night, which the agency labels unsheltered homelessness, has increased across the nation, […]

Affordable housing situation is ‘dire’ for Idahoans and state’s workforce, advocates say

BY: - August 25, 2022

Housing advocates across Idaho say the need for housing is dire, with many individuals living in cars and being evicted or priced out of their homes on a daily basis, and they are calling on Idaho’s Congressional delegation to take action at the federal level to increase affordable housing support. The Idaho Asset Building Network […]

Graphic is named Top 10 states for Idaho migration in 2021. It shows bubbles of varying sizes to represent people moving into Idaho and from Idaho to other states. California is the largest bubble for incoming to Idaho; Washington is the largest bubble for outgoing from Idaho.

It’s not just growth. Idaho is also losing residents and changing fast.

BY: - August 22, 2022

He kept hearing and reading the same claim: Californians were moving to Idaho. Some claimed the newcomers were changing the state and bringing cash to buy homes for astronomical prices. But University of Idaho professor Jaap Vos wanted to know if it was true. So, he looked for the data. He settled on a mix […]

Exploding population boom in Idaho is affecting domestic water supply

BY: - August 18, 2022

As more people migrate to Idaho, counties like Ada and Kootenai are seeing the effects of the rising population on the areas’ already diminishing water sources. Whether water is coming from groundwater sources like aquifers or surface water sources like rivers and reservoirs, local officials say Idaho’s water is being used faster than it can […]