The Cost of Living
By: Katie Derrick, LMSW
We constantly hear that “prices have gone up”, but the full impact of the rising cost of living is often underestimated and accepted as a natural part of life. Some households can adjust to inflation by cutting back, shopping sales, or lowering transportation costs by working from home. However, many Idaho families have already stripped their budgets to the bare necessities. When your paycheck is already spread so thin, how do you adjust?
Jesse Tree, an eviction and homelessness prevention agency serving Ada and Canyon County households, often sees rising living costs as an underlying reason people struggle to stay stably housed. Jesse Tree helps tenants make and maintain sustainability goals by offering budget help, forming resource connections, and applying for governmental programs like SNAP or WIC, if they qualify. Although these programs are crucial, income limits are lower than most realize, and many families don’t qualify because they earn just above the limit. Consequently, families often struggle to afford basics like food, clothing, diapers, and hygiene items. According to Brookings Research, 43% of families in the U.S. are unable to meet their basic needs (Fuhrer, 2024).
In Idaho, a family of three can earn no more than $33,576 annually to qualify for SNAP benefits. MIT defines the annual living wage for an Ada County single-parent household with two children as $103,251, and for a two-adult, one-child household, it’s $93,142. This significant gap leaves families across Idaho in difficult situations, with many falling into the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, and Employed) population. Households not eligible for federal benefits often face tight budgets with unmet needs because SNAP and WIC help with some basics, but don't cover everyday essentials like soap or toilet paper. Additionally, car-related expenses like gas and repairs are often necessary due to limited public transportation. Families risk losing jobs and healthcare access without reliable transportation, but paying for these costs leaves even less for other necessities.
In response to the rising cost of living, Jesse Tree has partnered with the Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation (IWCF) to fund our new Community Health Resource Closet. Jesse Tree opened the closet in May 2024 after being awarded a two-year grant from IWCF. The closet allows Jesse Tree to provide clients with essentials, including gas and grocery gift cards, hygiene kits, bus passes, and household kits. This reduces the burden of choosing between having enough food and putting gas in the car, especially when other emergencies arise. In the fourth quarter of 2024, 38% of Jesse Tree clients reported that they always or often worried food would run out before they had money to buy more. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many families across Idaho.
If you are interested in getting involved, there are a handful of ways you can contribute to our Community Health Resource Closet. One is to host a resource drive for the closet at your workplace or in a community you are part of, such as a book club, cultural, or faith-based group. Collecting laundry detergent, toilet paper, shampoo, and other essentials greatly supports our work to sustain this service. Another simple way to help is to tell your friends about this need in our community and ask them to join you in adding an extra bottle of dish soap or conditioner next time you’re shopping and drop them off at Jesse Tree’s office (1121 W Miller Street, Boise, ID 83702). If you want to learn more, reach out to Ysabel Nash, Jesse Tree’s Community Health Worker by emailing ysabel@jessetreeidaho.org.
Katie is a licensed master social worker and Jesse Tree’s former Housing and Supportive Services Manager. Katie is passionate about social determinants of health and has seven years of experience working in non-profits in the Treasure Valley. Katie enjoys advocating for her clients, illuminating existing issues and disparities to inspire the community to create solutions together.