How many housing & financial resources are in Idaho?

Women's Corner tracks 15 housing & financial resources for women in Idaho.

Are housing & financial resources in Idaho free?

15 of the 15 listed housing & financial resources in Idaho are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Idaho have housing & financial resources?

Listings span cities including Boise.

What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Idaho?

Featured entries include Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Habitat for Humanity of Idaho, Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority, Salvation Army — Idaho Housing, Interfaith Sanctuary — Boise.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

7 of 15 Idaho housing & financial listings include phone numbers.

How long is the Section 8 waitlist?

It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.

211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.

Can I get TANF as a single mother?

Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.

What if I'm being evicted?

Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.

Best Housing & Financial in Idaho — 15 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in Idaho

Idaho magistrate divisions handle custody matters within the district courts. The Child Support Services division within the Department of Health and Welfare runs enforcement. Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Idaho Falls are the largest cities. Idaho Legal Aid Services and the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence provide free family law and safety help to women statewide.

15 Resources

1. Idaho Housing and Finance Association — Free

Idaho Housing and Finance Association on W Myrtle St in Boise is the state's housing finance agency, administering federal housing tax credits, Section 8 contracts, and homeownership programs. Mothers can apply for the Idaho Housing Choice Voucher waiting list, down payment assistance, and emergency rental assistance through the office. Call 208-331-4882 for application status.

208-331-4882 · 565 W Myrtle St, Boise, ID 83702 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Habitat for Humanity of Idaho — Free

Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Boise, Idaho Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Pocatello, and the Magic Valley build affordable homes with sweat-equity partners who pay an affordable mortgage. Income eligibility runs from 30% to 80% of area median income depending on affiliate. Mothers complete 250+ hours of sweat equity working alongside volunteers. Call 208-345-2522 for Treasure Valley applications.

208-345-2522 · Boise, ID · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

3. Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority — Free

BCACHA on S Orchard St administers Section 8 vouchers and public housing for Ada County, with a separate waitlist for project-based units. Preferences favor elderly, disabled, and working families with children. Idaho residency required. Mothers should apply when waitlists open, as they often close for years at a time once full. Call 208-345-4907.

208-345-4907 · 1001 S Orchard St, Boise, ID 83705 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Salvation Army — Idaho Housing — Free

The Salvation Army's Boise corps runs emergency family shelter, transitional housing, and the Pathway of Hope case management program for families committed to ending generational poverty. Rental assistance and utility help are available for households facing eviction or shutoff. Call 208-343-5469 for intake. Bring photo ID, proof of income, and the eviction or shutoff notice.

208-343-5469 · Boise, ID · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Interfaith Sanctuary — Boise — Free

Interfaith Sanctuary on W River St operates Boise's largest low-barrier shelter accepting families, single women, men, and people with pets without sobriety requirements. The shelter accepts walk-ins 24/7 and provides hot meals, showers, laundry, and case management. Day-shelter services run from morning through evening. Call 208-383-9511 to confirm availability.

208-383-9511 · 1620 W River St, Boise, ID 83702 · 24/7 · Visit Website

6. CATCH Inc. — Boise — Free

CATCH Idaho on W Jefferson St uses a Housing First model to move families experiencing homelessness directly into housing with wraparound case management. Average stay in the program is 12-18 months, after which families exit to stable independent housing. Referrals come through Our Path Home, the Ada County coordinated entry system. Call 208-336-4560 for screening.

208-336-4560 · 1400 W Jefferson St, Boise, ID 83702 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Idaho Community Action Network — Housing — Free

Idaho Community Action Network advocates for low-income Idahoans on housing, healthcare, and energy issues. The grassroots organization runs renter education, housing counseling, and policy campaigns affecting eviction protections and tenant rights. Workshops cover landlord-tenant law, security deposits, and how to fight unlawful evictions in Idaho magistrate court. Call 208-385-9146.

208-385-9146 · Boise, ID · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

8. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

HUD.gov hosts the Idaho HUD field office contact (located in Spokane and serving Idaho), Section 8 voucher applications, and the housing counseling agency locator. Idaho HUD-approved housing counselors offer free pre-purchase, reverse mortgage, and foreclosure prevention counseling. The site links to fair housing complaint forms for discrimination cases.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

HUD's Continuum of Care portal identifies the lead agency for each Idaho region, with the Boise/Ada County CoC anchored by Our Path Home and balance-of-state regions served by the Idaho Housing CoC. Mothers seeking shelter or rapid rehousing typically enter services through the regional coordinated entry system listed on this page.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

LIHEAP is administered in Idaho by Community Action Partnerships across six service regions, paying heating and cooling assistance directly to utility companies on behalf of qualifying low-income households. The 2024-25 season opens for elderly and disabled households first, then expands to general applicants. Funds are limited; apply as soon as enrollment opens.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

The Salvation Army's locator tool maps every Idaho corps from Coeur d'Alene to Pocatello, with specific services listed at each. Most Idaho corps offer rent and utility assistance, a food pantry, holiday assistance, and case management. Eligibility varies by corps and funding cycle. Call before visiting to confirm intake hours and current availability.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Catholic Charities of Idaho serves all faiths from offices in Boise and provides emergency assistance, refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and counseling. Services are free or sliding-scale and require no religious affiliation. The Refugee Programs work with families resettled from Afghanistan, Ukraine, the DRC, and other countries in the Boise area.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. United Way Worldwide — Free

Idaho United Ways in the Treasure Valley, Magic Valley, and North Idaho fund local nonprofits and run the 211 referral service. United Way of Treasure Valley anchors the Our Path Home homelessness response and the bookstore.org early literacy program. Mothers seeking help can dial 211 to be connected to United Way-funded resources nearby.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Habitat for Humanity International coordinates more than 1,000 U.S. affiliates including the five active Idaho affiliates. The national site explains ReStore donations, volunteer opportunities, and global builds. Idaho applicants apply locally, but the international site offers homeowner education resources useful before applying.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Family Promise — Free

Family Promise of the Treasure Valley and Family Promise of North Idaho coordinate networks of host congregations that shelter homeless families with children, with day services hubs handling case management. The model emphasizes keeping families intact and stably reconnecting them with housing within 60-90 days. Apply through the local affiliate listed on the national site.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in Idaho?: Women's Corner tracks 15 housing & financial resources for women in Idaho.
Are housing & financial resources in Idaho free?: 15 of the 15 listed housing & financial resources in Idaho are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Idaho have housing & financial resources?: Listings span cities including Boise.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Idaho?: Featured entries include Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Habitat for Humanity of Idaho, Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority, Salvation Army — Idaho Housing, Interfaith Sanctuary — Boise.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 7 of 15 Idaho housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?: It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?: Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?: Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.