Our Work in Canyon County
Did you know Jesse Tree's work extends to Canyon County? We are even serving renters in Greenleaf, Melba, Parma, and Wilder!
When people think of the rising cost of rent, many don't realize that these outer-lying rural areas are experiencing just as much of a housing crunch.
Even in Canyon County, according to a recent report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is a shortage of over 4,000 affordable and available rental units.
This shortage is driving up rental prices, with the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Canyon County now costing over $1,500 per month. Many families are forced to choose between paying rent and covering other basic necessities like food, healthcare, and transportation.
This inevitably leads to more evictions: there were 367 evictions in Canyon County last year, 54 more than in 2021, despite the availability of temporary federal rent assistance funding.
The number of families who are homeless, doubled-up, living in hotels, or living in RVs or their cars has also increased, according to our partners in the Canyon County School District.
Recently, with federal rental assistance funds timed out, we have seen more than double the amount of emergency rental assistance applications from Canyon County residents compared with Ada County residents; normally these numbers are the other way around.
Thankfully, additional federal rental assistance funds should be passed through the Legislature soon, but even these funds are temporary and will run out at some point in the coming months. At that point, Jesse Tree will again be the last stop for Canyon County renters.
Jesse Tree has a Nampa office through which we serve many renters in Canyon County. Over the past few months, our team has provided emergency rental assistance, financial coaching, and case management services to hundreds of low-income families and individuals in Canyon County who were being evicted.
We have also been working closely with Canyon County court staff and judges to improve the legal eviction process. Just a couple of years ago, court was on random days and times with different judges and no opportunity for mediation. In partnership with the County, we've made it so that court is now on one set time each week with the same judge, and that a mediation program is available. This allows Jesse Tree to get more eviction cases than ever before dismissed.
The housing crisis in Canyon County is a complex problem that will require a multifaceted approach to address. Homeless prevention is an important piece of the puzzle. With the continued support of the community, Jesse Tree will keep making sure that more renters have a place to call home.