Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities Win Award of Excellence for Affordable Housing
(Washington D.C.-Nov. 17, 2020)- Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities (BC/ACHA) received a 2020 Award of Excellence for Affordable Housing from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) for New Path Community Housing Partnership, which offers critical housing and service needs for homeless people in Idaho.
“This year’s award-winning agencies have given us innovative local solutions for increasing affordable housing stock and improving the lives of their residents,” NAHRO President Sunny Shaw said. “I am excited to honor them for their excellence.”
With more than 40 percent of the state’s homeless population residing in Boise, BCACHA saw an opportunity to create safe, permanent housing for these people and provide the services needed to keep them housed long-term.
New Path Community Housing Partnership is Idaho’s first permanent supportive housing project to follow a “housing first” model. BC/ACHA launched an ambitious collaboration with local government, businesses, nonprofits, and healthcare providers to address the needs for residents. The development consists of 40 single-bedroom units for people experiencing chronic homelessness and provides them wrap-around services such as medical care, counseling, and access to a housing specialist. BC/ACHA’s community partners donated nearly $7 million was donated for the project’s development, and are providing more than $750,000 annually for rental assistance.
In just a brief period, BCACHA’s New Path Community Housing Partnership has reduced Boise’s chronic homelessness count by approximately 20 percent. The project has also provided a framework that can be replicated to serve other vulnerable populations, such as homeless veterans.
“NAHRO members have always been in the business of providing homes and improving lives – these awards commemorate shining examples of the vital work they do nationwide,” NAHRO CEO Adrianne Todman said. “My sincere congratulations to this year’s winners.”
About Awards of Excellence
The Awards of Excellence represent the very best in innovative programs in assisted housing and community development. Chosen from among Award of Merit winners each year, the Awards of Excellence winners are selected by national juries and will be honored during NAHRO’s Online National Conference on Nov. 17 and 18.
About NAHRO
NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of nearly 20,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.