Interim Nampa Shelter Provides a Model for Homeless Solutions in Idaho

NAMPA - The Idaho Housing and Finance Association has joined forces with federal, state and local governments in the fight against homelessness in Idaho.

IHFA—working in cooperation with the City of Nampa, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and The Salvation Army Nampa Corps—will officially open The Salvation Army Interim Shelter and Transitional Housing Project during a press conference July 21 (Wednesday) at 10 a.m. at the Nampa City Council Chambers, located at 411 3rd Street South. Scheduled to speak are IHFA President and Executive Director Gerald Hunter, Nampa Mayor Maxine Horn, HUD Senior Community Builder/Coordinator Gary Gillespie and Captain James Sullivan with The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army Nampa Corps has operated the project since July 6. The goal is to help stabilize homeless families and single women by providing emergency shelter for up to three months. By helping them develop a plan for transitional or permanent housing, these individuals and families can eventually attain self-sufficiency. Participating families will be housed in six units at two local motels. Regular daily meals and support services will be furnished by The Salvation Army; case management will be provided by Mercy Medical Center’s McAuley Project.

"This is an innovative solution to Nampa’s homeless situation," says Gerald Hunter, IHFA president and executive director. "The collaboration of so many groups in this community helped to make this emergency shelter possible. In addition to meeting the interim requirements of the City of Nampa, we look forward to creating a model that can be used to address permanent housing needs of individuals throughout the state."

Members of the Community Shelter Development Project steering committee include representatives from IHFA, HUD, City of Nampa, Canyon County, The Salvation Army, Valley Crisis Center, Nampa Housing Authority, Mercy Medical Center, Terry Reilly Health Services, Bank of America, First Security Bank, Mercy Housing Idaho, TVCRC, Stone Lumber, Idaho Migrant Council, Grace Episcopal Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Treasure Valley United Way.

Tabor House, Canyon County’s former homeless shelter for those who are not victims of domestic violence, was shut down late last year and condemned in January. The interim project will last 18 months. Local leaders hope to acquire land to build a permanent shelter by January 2001.

"Tabor House served 753 people in 1997 and 376 in the first six months of 1998," reports Captain James Sullivan of The Salvation Army of Nampa. "The Salvation Army is currently receiving five to seven calls each day regarding emergency shelter—many from families. The Interim Shelter expects to serve 180 family members over the next 18 months, as well as 40 to 45 single women."

The City of Nampa has committed HUD funds from the Community Development Block Grant program to assist in the project—the first time this community’s CDBG money has been used toward a social service. IHFA is also supporting the project with funds from its Emergency Shelter Grant Program. However, approximately $40,000 is still needed to complete funding of the project. Donations are welcome and may be sent to The Salvation Army, 403 12th Avenue South, PO Box 497, Nampa, Idaho 83653. For more information about the project, contact Captain James Sullivan at The Salvation Army, 467-6586.