A Place to Call Home

 

As April brings warmer days, blooming flowers, and green leaves, many of us head back outside—on bicycles, in gardens, and on trails—after a long winter indoors. Idaho offers so many beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy. But for many of our neighbors, spring marks the return of another season without stable housing. While the cold may ease, heat and smoke will soon bring new challenges.

 

April is Fair Housing Month—a time to reflect on one of our most basic needs: a home. The most recent estimate is that at least 2,750 Idahoans are unhoused. An additional 9,500 Idahoans received some kind of housing assistance in 2024. The paths to becoming unhoused are varied, and the solutions are complex, personal, and structural. Many Idahoans live just one paycheck or an unexpected medical bill away from losing their houses. Waitlists for affordable housing often exceed 300 families, with some people waiting years for a chance at securing an affordable place.

 

Communities across Idaho and the nation are exploring various strategies to address housing shortages and support those who don’t have stable housing. The Fair Housing Act of 1968, established to counter discriminatory practices like redlining, prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or familial status. This landmark legislation provides crucial legal protections, but ongoing housing challenges reveal how much work remains to ensure that all people have equitable access to safe and affordable housing. While there is broad agreement that the crisis deserves urgent attention, many people are reluctant to support potential solutions—such as increased housing density—in their own neighborhoods.

 

As systemic efforts continue, each of us can reflect on our own assumptions about people who are unhoused or in vulnerable circumstances. A resident at a shelter in Boise said it best: “People look down on me, but my worth and value is not based on my circumstances.” As we work to build communities rooted in dignity and belonging, let’s ensure our welcome includes those living on the uncomfortable margins. Let’s not just view housing instability as a problem to solve but see the people—parents, children, veterans, fellow community members—all with names, stories, and the right to be treated with compassion.