IHFA Housing Hotline Provides Free Service to Consumers
Callers Statewide Have Used Free Service Since 1998

BOISE - A free, statewide Housing Hotline is available to assist the increasing number of Idahoans seeking to navigate a maze of housing programs and resources. The Idaho Housing and Finance Association, through its Housing Information and Resource Center, has operated the toll-free hot line since 1998.

The hot line, at 1-877-438-4472, is available to anyone. More than 12,000 Idahoans have consulted the clearinghouse and its resident experts. With a list of assisted apartments, shelters and other resources at their fingertips, hot line staff identify resources to assist callers, from coping with evictions and foreclosures to buying a first home and realizing how credit affects housing choices.

"Many callers are scared, frustrated and unsure where to begin," reported Housing Resources Coordinator Erik Kingston. Although the hot line doesn't offer counseling or any direct financial assistance, Kingston stressed, "we do our best to offer encouragement and appropriate referrals. Whether their housing is threatened by a separation, illness or loss of income, we're here to streamline the search for information about limited resources."

The growing need for affordable housing is reflected in the wait time for rental assistance vouchers, which has doubled since 2000. Census data also show that Idaho's median housing costs increased an average of 31.5 percent faster than wages during the 1990s. That gap continues to widen as additional stressors such as rising health, utility and transportation costs-along with widespread consumer debt-compound the problem.

The majority of hot line calls (approximately 85 percent) are from those seeking affordable housing, rental assistance or homelessness prevention funds. The remaining 15 percent represent prospective first-time home buyers or those seeking information about mortgages, home repairs or other home ownership resources.

"The folks we talk with include working parents, some juggling two jobs and many single-handedly supporting families after divorce or abandonment," said Kingston. Staff also hear from seniors facing complex choices involving fixed retirement resources and rising housing costs.

There are more resources to help with utilities, food and prescriptions, than with housing. Kingston's advice to consumers is to make housing a priority.

IHFA also offers a regional housing directory. Currently, 433 complexes statewide consisting of 16,890 rental units along with local shelters and transitional housing providers are listed. The list is updated regularly to reflect changes in apartment and provider status; it includes basic tips for renters and outlines types of housing assistance.

Consumers and advocates can download the Assisted Housing Directory for their region via IHFA's Web site at www.ihfa.org/research_assistedhousing.asp or request a copy by email request to hirc@ihfa.org, by phone to IHFA's toll-free Housing Hotline at 1-877-438-4472 /TDD 1-800-545-1833 or by mail to HIRC, P.O. Box 7899 Boise, ID 83707-1899. Requests must specify the region or county desired along with appropriate contact information.

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The Idaho Housing and Finance Association, a financial services and housing business organization, provides funding for affordable housing in communities where it is most needed and when economically feasible.