The Housing Crisis in Boise, Idaho, and Ada County: Renters Feeling the Squeeze

The housing affordability crisis in Boise and Ada County, Idaho, has hit renters particularly hard. While the area was once known for its affordable living and thriving communities, renters are now finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet as the gap between the rate of rent increases and wages grows. Rent prices have increased over 25% while wages remain stagnant or at a slow 3% rate. Wages are not even keeping pace with inflation. 

Rents on the Rise: A Crisis for Boise Renters

I moved to Ada County in 2020, right at the height of the pandemic. The next year, I saw a 25-30% increase in my rent. Although my rent has increased only moderately in the past two years, wages have not kept pace with that increase.  For many renters, these costs now consume more than 50%—and sometimes as much as 60%—of their monthly household incomes. In fact, mortgage affordability is often calculated at 60% of gross income. This far exceeds the commonly recommended affordability measure of 30% of income for housing.

For example, a family earning $50,000 annually may have to pay $30,000 a year to rent alone at current rates. The average rent in Boise is over $1,900 per month. With high utility bills, food costs, and other expenses, saving money or making ends meet feel like unachievable goals. 

My dog and I in our modest apartment. 

A Limited Supply of Affordable Rentals

The primary driver of these high rents is a severe lack of housing supply. Over the past decade:

• Increased demand: An increase of new residents (I am one of them) from out of state has driven up competition for housing.
• Limited construction: A shortage of new rental developments, particularly affordable units, has left many renters scrambling to find housing. During COVID, construction was halted. New rentals are popping up. However, the rental housing vacancy rate in Ada County is still dangerously low at 2-3%. 
• Short-term rentals: The rise of short-term vacation rentals has reduced the availability of long-term rentals for residents. Housing activists have created a HomeShare program where they find individuals in need of housing a room to stay in at someone's home. Even rooms for rent can exceed $900 a month. 

The result is a fiercely competitive rental market where landlords seem to have power over renters. Moreover, over half of the Idaho legislature is made up of landlords. Needless to say, there is not a tremendous incentive to help renters. 

A Growing Divide Between Wages and Rent

While rents have soared, wages for many Boise-area workers have not kept pace. Essential workers in industries such as healthcare, education, and retail often struggle to find housing near their places of work. In some areas of the state, teacher housing has been created because there is limited affordable housing in those towns for teachers. This disparity not only strains individual households but also impacts the broader community by creating labor shortages and reducing economic mobility.

The Impact on Renters

Renters in Boise and Ada County face several challenges due to the housing crisis:

1. Evictions and Instability: High rents have led to an increase in evictions, with some families forced to move multiple times within a year.
2. Living Conditions: Renters with lower incomes often settle for substandard or overcrowded housing just to have a place to live.
3. Homelessness: The region has seen a sharp rise in homelessness, as families and individuals are unable to keep up with rising costs. There are limited shelter beds in the Boise metro. One shelter closed down last year due to funding. Finding low-income housing is also a challenge. To qualify, income has to meet federal poverty requirements. To get out of homeless shelters, people may be waitlisted for up to three years. 

What Can Be Done?

Addressing the rental crisis in Boise and Ada County will require coordinated efforts from policymakers, community leaders, and landlords. Key actions include:

• Increased affordable housing development: Building more multi-family units and subsidized housing to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income renters.
• Rental assistance programs: Expanding local and state programs to help renters stay in their homes during financial hardships.
• Tenant protections: Enacting stronger laws to prevent unfair evictions and excessive rent hikes.

Why It Matters

Due to the scarcity of housing options, many individuals are left with no choice but to live outdoors. Overcrowded shelters and a lack of affordable housing exacerbate this issue. In a recent decision, Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024), the Supreme Court ruled that cities have the authority to displace homeless individuals residing in public spaces. This ruling allows for the possibility of arresting people for living in public areas, further complicating the already dire circumstances faced by the unhoused.

Winter is approaching, bringing a host of challenges for those forced to live outdoors. Living on the streets is life-threatening, especially in extreme weather conditions. In winter, freezing temperatures can lead to hypothermia or death, while summer heat poses the risk of dehydration and heatstroke. Additionally, individuals experiencing homelessness face constant threats from both animals and other people, leaving them vulnerable without adequate protection. Beyond physical dangers, the emotional and psychological toll of living outside is immense, as the constant fight for survival wears on their mental health.

Many believe this issue is isolated to Boise, but it’s a widespread problem across the country. When I lived in Kansas City, I reported weather-related deaths to the Jackson County Health Department. Tragically, these deaths occurred far more often than most people realize, highlighting the severity and universality of this crisis.

A Call to Action

The rental crisis in Boise and Ada County is more than an economic issue—it’s a challenge to the community’s values of inclusion and opportunity. Addressing this crisis will take bold action to ensure that all residents, especially renters, have a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.