Boise Launches Housing Crisis Hotline

—BOISE, ID — The information is not a surprise housing in Boise is difficult to find. Prices have exploded for those looking to purchase a home and rentals, especially for those looking for affordable housing, is tough to come by.

Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. You can also download our free Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.

In response, the city and Our Path Home, have set up a Housing Crisis Hotline. Our Path Home, the public-private partnership working to end homelessness in Ada County, launched its Housing Crisis Hotline. The hotline will serve as the single contact point for people who are experiencing a housing crisis. People who need housing resources, information or support can call 208-336-HOME (4663).

The team answering Housing Crisis Hotline calls understand all of the available services across the Our Path Home partnership, helps callers problem solve their unique situation, and makes direct referrals to service providers.

"The Housing Crisis Hotline is one very important step toward better serving our residents who are experiencing housing insecurity or are at risk of losing their housing," said Maureen Brewer, Senior Manager of Housing and Community Development at the City of Boise. "The hotline will provide deeply needed navigation of resources on behalf of community members most impacted by the housing crisis our city is experiencing and help ensure that our residents receive timely assistance so that they can diverted from homelessness."

In addition to ensuring that the housing crises experienced by community members will be coordinated and triaged through a single hotline, Our Path Home will also be able to expand its data collection to create a more accurate picture of the kinds of housing issues our residents are facing in real time.

"I'm proud of this project and all of the collaborative work it took to get this up and running," said Cassandra Artukovich, Operations Manager at Jesse Tree who helped design the Housing Crisis Hotline. "We are all determined to make a difference in the way families get support through the most troubling time in their lives."

"Losing your housing is extremely traumatic, and those of us who have worked with people in this situation want to make sure that the process for getting connected to needed resources is as smooth and efficient as possible," said Stephanie Day, Executive Director of CATCH. "We are so excited to launch this Housing Crisis Line which will truly streamline access to any housing resource for those in untenable housing situations. "

Our Path Home, the public-private partnership working to end homelessness in Ada County, operates from the service model and philosophy that permanent housing, coupled with support services, solves homelessness. To learn more about Our Path Home, visit: www.ourpathhome.org

Stay connected! Like Boise Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Boise Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of our latest sponsors? Email any and all inquiries to me at john.braese@patch.com.