Grant To Help Idaho Homeless

Homeless people with disabilities have a hard time finding affordable permanent housing.

That may be eased by a $191,520 grant to the state Department of Health and Welfare and the Idaho Housing Agency.

Julie Frazier, housing agency vice president, said the agencies “are anxious to expand the opportunities for independent living for persons with mental disabilities. With this grant we anticipate that we will be able to provide rental assistance for approximately eight individuals or families over a term of five years.”

She said with the housing agency providing the housing and Health and Welfare providing case management, the goal is to move individuals from homelessness to permanent housing and self-sufficiency.

Nine providers also agreed to support services, valued at more than $1 million over five years.

The Idaho Housing Agency also will expand a demonstration home repair loan program that has been limited to North Idaho. The program will be expanded to eastern and southwestern Idaho.

The program lends homeowners $5,000 to $15,000, to be repaid in five to 15 years.