BOISE, Idaho — For the first time in several years, the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities opened its Public Housing waitlists.
"It is generally a big deal," said Marissa Henderson, housing operations and asset manager. "These particular waitlists are based on unit availability. So, when our lists start to get small, we open up the waitlists again."
Demand for affordable housing keeps growing throughout the Treasure Valley. The last time BCACHA opened a waitlist, she said they received about 500 applications — a number they already exceeded this round.
The lists close on March 21. Only low-income families, people with disabilities and older people qualify. Henderson said single occupants make less than $40,000 a year.
Typically, Henderson said people accepted into the program have to wait about 24 months before getting a unit. BCAHA manages 240 Public Housing and Section 8 New Construction units across multiple properties.
"It can be a little bit frustrating for our staff," she said. "Just because we want to help as many people as we possibly can, and our options are limited."
While the wait is long, Boisean Ronda Coleman said applicants should stay hopeful, given the overall lack of affordable housing. She moved into her BCACHA apartment about four years ago after waiting several years.
"I gave a lot to society," she said. "I was a psych nurse; I was a hospice nurse. And sadly, my husband died early. And I'm like, 'What am I going to do? What's going to happen to me?' So, this makes me feel like I'm worthy again, and I wish it for everybody."
Henderson said the lists, which naturally get smaller as people move and circumstances change, are first come, first served. She encourages anyone who thinks they qualify to apply because it is free and there is "no risk."
Anyone with questions should contact BCACHA. Henderson said they expect to open the Section 8 Voucher waitlist this spring or summer, which has fewer limitations than other programs.
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