Housing Information and Resource Center (HIRC)
Overview
Created in 1998, the Housing Information and Resource Center (HIRC) is a free, non-governmental source of information on all aspects of housing. HIRC staff offer practical information and referrals to housing consumers, providers and advocates. We also work with statewide coalitions and local communities to better understand the role of affordable and workforce housing in sustainable community and economic development. Our goal is to empower individuals, organizations and communities as they work towards housing that provides access, stability and resilience at all levels.
The HIRC is managed by IHFA's Housing Resources Coordinator, who is responsible for the following areas (with cooperative support from other IHFA departments):
The Idaho Housing and Finance Association provides a free, statewide telephone hotline service for housing consumers, providers and advocates. Idaho’s Housing Hotline is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (MST) Monday through Friday:
- Toll Free 1-877-438-4472
- Boise Area 208-331-4877
- E-mail: hirc@ihfa.org
Although the HIRC has no funds to offer, we make every effort to locate the most appropriate service or resource for each situation.
www.housingidaho.com is a free, web-based resource for listing or locating any rental property in Idaho. The service launched in October of 2007 with the goal of becoming Idaho's default housing search tool within the first year of operation. The site also provides access to statewide resources and emergency and transitional housing providers.
Besides offering simple, commercial-free options for Idaho's housing consumers, providers and advocates, the database will ultimately provide Idaho with a unique tool for disaster recovery teams seeking to house large numbers of households following a disaster involving relocation.
As of 12/2007, we are well on our way to listing 10,000 rental units statewide, with goal of tripling that number by late 2008. Within the first two months of operation the site processed over 15,000 searches.
Workforce Housing Toolkit. IHFA has long understood the role decent, safe and affordable housing plays in sustainable economies and community development strategies. The 2007 Workforce Housing Toolkit provides local government, developers and civic leaders with tools and strategies to take control of their housing landscape in ways that sustain their economies and complement community values.
The Idaho Community Review Team allows IHFA to pursue efficient and collaborative coalitions that achieve multiple benefits for Idaho communities and families. Working with the Idaho Rural Partnership, IHFA has assisted with over a dozen community reviews since 2000, while contributing to the ongoing strategic planning and evolution of the ICR process. We are able to help rural communities cope with change and empower residents to shape their own future.
Fair Housing Outreach and Education. IHFA is committed to supporting fair and accessible housing for all Idahoans. We believe that clear, consistent information about rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act and related laws is the best way to reduce unintended violations, injury and associated costs. We are members of the Idaho Fair Housing Forum and provide annual support and leadership for a variety of initiatives to promote diversity. A recent example is the 2006 Fair Housing Calendar.
|
