Living
New housing hotline now available for those facing homelessness in Ada County
A new option is available for people in Ada County facing homelessness or a housing crisis to connect with local services. Our Path Home, the public-private partnership working to end homelessness in Ada County, launched its Housing Crisis Hotline on Thursday, according to a press release. The hotline will serve as the single contact point […]
New membership program grants access to museums, historical sites in Idaho
Idahoans interested in the history of the state and its people now have a new opportunity to visit nine historical museums and sites through a new membership benefits program. The Reciprocal Membership Pilot Program is intended to encourage and expand access to Idaho history for those who purchase or renew their annual membership with partnering […]
‘Inherent barriers’ hindering federal aid for Idaho rental assistance
Even with extensions, one local housing organization says the national eviction moratorium and additional federal funding isn’t helping those struggling with housing costs in the Treasure Valley. The eviction moratorium that began in September 2020 was scheduled to expire at the end of March but received an extension to the end of June. That deadline […]
Post-COVID, let’s build neighborhoods that value human connection in the Treasure Valley
Now that we’re (mostly) on the other side of the pandemic, we need to make different choices around how we build housing and create connected neighborhoods across the Treasure Valley. It’s no secret frenetic growth and a lack of housing supply is driving up the cost to own a home. In Ada County, the median […]
Facing COVID-related foreclosure? New federal rules apply
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released new rules Monday to establish temporary safeguards for borrowers who are exiting forbearance plans and may be facing foreclosure, including loan modifications and the option of selling the home. The rules, which generally exclude small servicers, cover loans on principal residences and will take effect on Aug. 31, according […]
There are only 2,700 fully electric vehicles in Idaho. Could that start to change soon?
Courtney Rosenkoetter was just about to knock off from his weekend shift moonlighting part-time for Uber when he decided to take on one more early morning pick up from Boise Airport and push the limits of the charge remaining on his new Tesla. “I almost turned off the app,” he recalled telling his stranded passenger […]
Looking for ways to make the commute for your employees easier? These grants can help
Ada County Highway District’s Commuteride program announced a new grant aimed at helping small local businesses implement and maintain commute options in a press release Wednesday. The Commuteride Workspace Mobility Grant provides up to $3,000 in financial assistance to Ada County organizations with 100 or fewer employees. The grant funds can be used for amenities […]
‘It’s a challenge’: Short-term rental issues plague a small Idaho town near Yellowstone
Idaho’s picturesque views and endless supply of outdoor recreational opportunities have always attracted visitors — tourists and new residents alike. But the dynamic changed in the past decade, with the rise of third-party rental websites like Airbnb, VRBO and Vacasa. These short-term rentals and vacation homes opened up lodging to more visitors in some corners […]
Looking for a job? More than 120 employers will be in Caldwell on Wednesday
More than 120 Idaho employers with nearly 3,500 available jobs will participate in an outdoor job fair in Caldwell on Wednesday, the Idaho Department of Labor announced in a press release. The cities of Caldwell and Nampa, Boise State University, Amazon, the Community Council of Idaho, Knife River, CS Beef and others will be among […]
‘Thankful to God, I’m safe.’ Three refugees became Idahoans. Here are their stories
Idaho has welcomed thousands of refugees, from dozens of countries, for decades. That tradition slowed in recent years, as the Trump administration placed record-low caps on refugee admissions and temporarily banned travel from Muslim countries, and last year as the COVID-19 pandemic halted travel. President Joe Biden has lifted the cap, but warned that it […]
Settled into new homes, refugees in U.S. say they are working for a better life for all
Violence, persecution and wars amid a global pandemic added to the growing number of displaced persons around the world last year. The United Nations reports that 11.2 million people were displaced from their homelands in 2020, bringing the total number of displaced persons in the world to 82.4 million. Of those forced to flee their […]
As cities, counties change zoning codes, let’s consider how ‘lovably nonconforming’ housing may help
I have a special place in my heart for a type of buildings that might best be called, “Lovably Nonconforming.” These are buildings that wonderfully add to the fabric of our neighborhoods — and likely could not be built under today’s zoning codes. When we talk about how to preserve neighborhood character and create amazing […]