There are many organizations that may be able to assist you if you need help with emergency rental assistance in Idaho. These include a combination of statewide and local assistance programs.
For your convenience, we’ll divide this article into statewide and local programs so that you can more easily find the programs and organizations that may be able to assist you.
Emergency Rental Assistance in Idaho
No matter where you live in the state, there are a few places you can turn for help with your housing costs. Let’s look at some of the most common ones.
County Assistance
According to Idaho Legal Aid, each county is required by law to offer financial aid for people who cannot afford their basic necessities. This program may be able to assist you with rent, utilities, food, medical expenses and medications.
This program is called County Assistance and is administered by each county. In every county, the program is considered a last resort so you are expected to exhaust all other options before turning to the county for help.
It appears that you can apply at the county courthouse or at least someone there should be able to tell you where to go. When you go to apply, bring paperwork that proves your income, expenses, and the bills that you are asking for help with. Even if they tell you verbally that the county does not or cannot help you with what you’re asking for, demand a written application and fill it out. If they deny your application, you can ask an attorney to review your denial.
Community Action Partnerships
There are several community action organizations in Idaho that may be able to provide Idaho rental assistance. These organizations are very useful for low income people. Contact your local Community Action agency to see how they can help you!
- Community Action Partnership (CAP) serves Benewah County, Bonner County, Boundary County, Clearwater County, Idaho County, Kootenai County, Latah County, Lewis County, Nez Perce/Asotin County and Shoshone County.
- Western Idaho Community Action Partnership (WICAP) serves Adams County, Boise County, Canyon County, Gem County, Owyhee County, Payette County, Valley County and Washington County.
- El-Ada Inc. Community Action Partnership (El-Ada) serves Elmore and Ada County.
- South Central Community Action Partnership (SCCAP) serves Blaine, Camas, Gooding, Lincoln, Jerome, Cassia, Minidoka and Twin Falls County.
- SouthEastern Idaho Community Action Agency serves Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power Counties.
- Eastern Idaho Community action Partnership (EICAP) serves Bonneville, Butte, Custer, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton Counties.
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul usually assists with rent, utilities, housewares, clothing and transportation expenses. For example, these services are all available at St. Vincent de Paul of Southwest Idaho.
The available services vary depending on the location and offerings of your local St. Vincent de Paul affiliate, so you will need to inquire with your local organization for details.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army often assists with rent and utilities, so it’s worth contacting them to inquire if you need Idaho rental assistance. Several resource directories indicate that the Lewiston chapter offers assistance with rent and utilities, as well as groceries, meals, non-narcotic prescriptions, household items and clothing. The Idaho Falls chapter appears to assist with rent, as well as diapers, holiday gifts, prescription assistance and more.
Idaho Housing & Finance Association
The Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) operates several different voucher programs that offer rental assistance. It can take 12-18 months to get off the waitlist and start receiving help, so these programs are not good options for emergency rental assistance. However, they do offer long-term support so our team thought it was worthwhile to include them here.
- DFN & MRR Vouchers: These vouchers assist disabled people and their families. In order to qualify, you must be between 18-62 years old and meet at least one other criteria such as being homeless, at risk of homelessness, or at risk of being institutionalized.
- VASH Vouchers: This program provides housing assistance to homeless veterans.
- Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8): This federal program provides vouchers that pay a portion of your rent. When you participate in Section 8, you’ll usually pay around 30% of your income toward rent and the government pays the rest.
To get help from these programs, you will need to download an application from the IHFA website and submit it to your nearest IHFA office.
More Emergency Rental Assistance
There are some programs that provide assistance with rent all over the United States! For even more ways to get help with your rent, check this list!
Local Rental Assistance Programs
There are many organizations throughout Idaho that provide rental assistance. Please connect with the organizations in this list to find help near you.
Ada County
- Ada County: The Ada County Clerk’s office can provide emergency rental assistance once a year. This program can help cover your rent, power, heat or water bill. You can apply on their website but you’ll also need to complete an interview in order to get help. It takes about two weeks to get assistance.
- CATCH has two programs that help low income Idahoans with emergency rental assistance. The Linda Fund helps homeless or at-risk households with security deposits or their first month’s rent. The Taking Root program provides up to six months of rental assistance for families in crisis that have at least one child under age 18. You can learn more by visiting the CATCH website.
- Jesse Tree can provide emergency rental assistance to renters who have received a 3 Day Pay or Vacate notice or an eviction court summons. You can find their list of requirements and their waitlist form on their website.
Blaine County
- Blaine County Rapid Relief helps people who work and/or live in Blaine County and need financial assistance. You must have a household income that is at or below 120% of the Area Median Income in most cases. You can make an appointment by calling (208) 244-5205 or by visiting their website.
Bonner County
- Angels Over Sandpoint provides emergency rental assistance, as well as help with utilities, school supplies and other needs. This is an incredible resource in the Sandpoint area. You will need to contact them at (208) 290-5895 for assistance.
Canyon County
- Jesse Tree provides housing assistance in Ada and Canyon County. This organization may be able to provide assistance with rent and a security deposit assistance. If you have an eviction date already set, they may be able to expedite your application.
Clearwater County
- FISH Inc. operates the Community Thrift Shop in Orofino. This organization provides a food bank and may offer emergency rental assistance when funds allow. You can only get this assistance once per year.
Kootenai County
- Heart of the City Church may be able to provide help with rent and utilities, according to a resource directory on the Kootenai County website.
- Real Life Ministries may be able to provide help with food, utilities and rent as well. They offer walk in appointments at their Post Falls location.
- St. George’s Mission of Charity may be able to help with emergency rental assistance for people who live in Post Falls, Rathdrum or Spirit Lake. They may also be able to help with food.
- St. Vincent de Paul of North Idaho offers emergency rental assistance for low income people who are in crisis. You will need to have an eviction notice or a shut off notice for utilities in order to get help. This service is only available for Kootenai County residents. You can call (208) 664-3095 extension 307 for assistance.
Shoshone County
- Real Life Ministries in Silver Valley has a Benevolence Fund for those who need financial assistance. This fund may be able to help you pay your rent. It may also be able to provide gas vouchers, utility assistance or help with other needs. RLM also offers a food room and other assistive services as well.
Teton County
- Community Resource Center of Teton Valley offers many important housing assistance programs for low income Idahoans. These services include help with rental applications, security deposit assistance, emergency rental assistance, and even help with utilities. If you need help, check their website for details.
Twin Falls County
- Mustard Seed Community Assistance provides help with food, clothing and finances to those who need it. They also serve hot meals on Saturdays. You need to schedule an appointment before you can visit. Their office is located in Twin Falls. Get more information on the Mustard Seed website.
Relief Recap
If you’re struggling to pay rent in Idaho, there are several programs that may be able to help. If you need help, be sure to apply as soon as possible and gather documentation to support your request. For more resources, check with your local housing authority or nonprofit organizations in your area.